You’re likely to get more antioxidants from an Asian diet than a Western one. “You’re certainly getting a lot more nutrients than the food label captures,” Dr. Li says.
Antioxidants are substances that protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals — molecules created when your body breaks down food or you’re exposed to external stressors like pollution — may play a role in heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases.
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As many antioxidants double as pigments, the natural color of your food is one way to tell what types of antioxidants you’re getting. For example, pink and red fruits like tomatoes and grapefruit typically have lycopene as their primary antioxidant, says Li.
Research also suggests lycopene has anti-inflammatory properties that may lower your risk of disease.
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Unsweetened tea is a staple of the Asian diet — and it’s one big reason the diet may stave off chronic diseases, Supan says. “Any tea is going to be packed with a good amount of antioxidants.”
Here are some more Asian diet benefits research has uncovered.
1. Helps Prevent and Manage Type 2 Diabetes
According to the most recent available study, both Asian Americans and Caucasian Americans at risk of type 2 diabetes lowered their insulin resistance — a hallmark of type 2 diabetes — after following a traditional Asian diet for 16 weeks. Those who switched back to a traditional Western diet then increased their insulin resistance.
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The Asian diet may prevent diabetes because it prioritizes foods known to keep blood sugar under control, like fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and healthy fats, while limiting sweets and ultra-processed foods that tend to spike blood sugar.
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The Asian diet may also help control type 2 diabetes if you have the disease, but you’ll need to pay attention to portion sizes, especially when it comes to whole grains, Supan says.
The American Heart Association (AHA) highlights that while many aspects of the Asian diet promote health, some — like high amounts of white rice, sodium, and cooking oils with saturated fat — could actually contribute to type 2 diabetes.
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If you’re following an Asian diet and are at risk of developing diabetes, you may want to steer away from these aspects of the diet to maximize its health benefits.
2. Lowers Heart Disease Risk
Asian diets, and the Japanese diet in particular, may lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, according to research. In particular, Asian diets with less focus on meat and plenty of antioxidant-rich vegetables, whole grains, fish, and tea benefited heart health.
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Research also notes that Japan ranks among the highest life expectancies in the world, and a diet that supports heart health may be why. Soybean products like tofu and natto as well as pickled vegetables and seaweed may contribute to the cardiovascular benefits of the Japanese diet specifically.
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The key role of fish in many Asian diets, especially in coastal regions, may explain some of these heart-health benefits, Li says. Fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, a group of healthy fats that can lower your risk of heart disease, heart failure, and stroke.
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Additionally, teas are especially rich in a type of polyphenol known as flavonols, which could lower blood pressure and cholesterol — two risk factors for heart disease.
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3. Promotes Gut Health
Asian diets typically include a lot of fermented foods like tempeh, miso, and kimchi, according to Li. These foods are rich sources of probiotics, or “good bacteria” that benefit your gut.
Probiotics maintain a healthy balance between the bacteria in your body, supporting immune function and controlling inflammation.
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They may also help treat and prevent diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease.
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