Growing older in a Japanese ski town

Unless you live under a big rock, you know that Nagano was home to the 1998 Winter Olympics. What makes that ski town even more special is that women who live there can expect to live an average of 87.2 years, while men can rack up 80.9 years compared respectively with 82.2 and 78.8 years in Utah and 80.2 and 85.9 in Haute Savoie.

The lifestyle in Nagano, also produces the lowest per capita medical costs in Japan. At first glance, Nagano would seem an unlikely place for setting such a record. Tucked in the mountains at about 800 m (2600 ft) elevation, its winter season is both long and harsh. In addition it doesn't have the benefits of the seafood that makes up much of the national diet.

Instead, it seems that tsukemono. or pickled vegetables with high salt contents is responsible for the record age. So, now move to the mountains, alter your diet and you'll have all the elements needed to beat these numbers. Oh, by the way, don't forget to ski!