What do people who look youthful eat? According to Dr. Shoji Shirasawa, a leading expert in anti-aging and longevity research, the answer might be found in a classic Japanese pantry staple: natto.

The Power of Vitamin B

Dr. Shirasawa emphasizes that maintaining youthful skin and vitality requires a conscious intake of B vitamins and protein. B vitamins, including B1, B2, niacin, and folic acid, play a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin cell turnover, or metabolism. This cycle, ideally lasting 28 days, is essential for a radiant and transparent complexion, but it can slow with age. Vitamin B helps keep this process on track.

Natto: The Ultimate Anti-Aging Food

The champion of B vitamins, according to Shirasawa, is natto. This fermented soybean dish is not only rich in B vitamins but also packed with Vitamin E, which promotes blood circulation, ensuring nutrients and oxygen reach the skin for a bright, non-dull appearance. Furthermore, natto contains iron, calcium, and dietary fiber, making it a veritable nutritional treasure trove. Its accessibility in any supermarket and ease of preparation—simply served over rice—makes it an ideal daily addition to one's diet.

The Perfect Protein: The Incredible Egg

For protein, Dr. Shirasawa highly recommends eggs. They are a complete protein source, containing all nine essential amino acids the body cannot produce on its own. Eggs boast a perfect "protein score" and "amino acid score," meaning eating just one provides a balanced intake of these critical building blocks for muscles, organs, skin, and hair. Their versatility in cooking, from omelets to boiled eggs, makes them an easy and nutritious choice for supporting health and beauty from within.