The health benefits of Japanese cuisine are widely known. Japanese people live longer than those in just about any other country. Sushi is now eaten throughout the West, and protein-packed tofu is available at many local supermarkets. Many people in the West drink green tea on almost a daily basis.

Here are five foods that you may not know, but which, for your health’s sake, you ought to try. Be adventurous. Your body will thank you for it.

* Atsu-age – these are cakes of deep-fried tofu, and are often available where regular tofu is available. They are probably best described as tofu for Westerners who don’t like tofu. Deep frying in oil gives them a nutty texture and crunch, yet, inside, this food retains the softness and smoothness of fresh tofu, along with all the health benefits.

* Katsuo-bushi – this is dried flakes of the cooked bonito fish, and resembles wood shavings. It is absolutely delicious when used as a stock for soup or stews. Like tofu, it is full of protein. You should find it sold in large packages at good Asian supermarkets. It is also available in powder form.

* Gobo – the English name for this root vegetable is burdock. It has been used in China and Japan for many centuries as a medicine. Many people believed it could help recovery from illness, as well as boost energy. Today it is reputed to lower cholesterol. You may find it available canned, but if possible buy it fresh and stew or fry.

* Kikuna – this is a type of edible chrysanthemum leaves, also known as shungiku. It can be eaten raw, but is more commonly included in stews, or deep-friend as tempura. Take care not to overcook, or the taste may become bitter. It is said to be good for fevers.

* Daikon – the giant white radish is one of the most common ingredients in Japanese cooking. It is commonly included in stews of all kinds, and is also a regular garnish with sushi and many other uncooked dishes. It is also often added to dipping sauces, such as for tempura. It is a short stumpy vegetable, and so ingrained is it in Japanese culture that people with fat legs are said to have “daikon legs.” The best daikon has a somewhat sharp taste, but often it is rather bland, although it is absolutely delicious when pickled. It is so important in Japanese cooking that you should be able to find it any Asian supermarket that sells fresh produce. It is especially good in aiding digestion, particularly for oily foods.

Residents of Japan are obliged to join one of two types of health insurance systems. One type is a social insurance plan which is normally for corporate employees. The other is national health insurance, which is for the self-employed, students and others not covered under a social insurance plan.

When someone goes to a hospital in Japan, insurance will usually cover 70%-80% of the costs upfront with the patient paying the difference. For more expensive treatments, the patient can receive a reimbursement for costs incurred.

By law, the insurance plans cannot deny a legitimate claim or refuse anyone regardless of preexisting conditions. Also, medical care is not rationed by age or for any other reason. Most hospitals are privately owned. However, the rates they can charge for most services and drugs are set by Japanese Health Ministry every couple of years.

People are free to choose whichever hospital they like. In spite of the fact Japanese people receive more medical care and spend more time in hospitals, Japan spends less on health care, and health insurance costs are much lower.

Negative points of the Japanese system

Doctors on average see more patients and thus spend less time with each individual patient than in the US. Hospital conditions are often not as nice as those found in the US. For example, unless paying for a private room, most patients stay in shared rooms with the patients separated by curtains. Most hospitals do not take reservations. Patients simply go to the hospital and wait their turn.

Drugs are often over prescribed. One reason for this is that since doctors spend less time with each patient, the sometimes simply prescribe drugs for initial visits instead of more thoroughly diagnosing the problem. The other reason is that hospitals sometimes can make money off the prescriptions.

Since going to the hospital is relatively cheap, people abuse the system and seek medical treatment when it is not really needed. Many hospitals are losing money since prices are often set too low. Also, there is underinvestment in some areas and the system is laden in paperwork and regulation.

While premiums are still much lower than the US, they are rising and an increasing number of people cannot afford them. However, this is often offset by programs that provide medical care for the children and the elderly. Overall, while the Japanese health care system does a good job at providing nearly universal coverage at an affordable price, it is not without it problems.