World Health Organization (WHO) data clearly demonstrate that Japanese are enjoying the longest life-span, women living average 86 years, and men 79 years. Impressively, more than 28 395 centenarians are at present living in Japan, whereas their number was approximately 200 in 1963. The applicability of dietary control of hypertension and stroke to humans has been supported by epidemiological studies in Japan as well as by the WHO cardiovascular diseases and alimentary comparison (CARDIAC) study.
Biomedical Reviews 2008; 19: v-vi.