ABSTRACT

The Republic of Korea (ROK) is projected by 2030 to have the longest living population compared to any nation on earth. A girl born in the ROK in 2030 will live up to 90.8 years on average. What are the reasons for this improvement in longevity?

Among many insights for longevity among the people of the ROK is the diverse Korean ethnic diet with roots in a traditional diet that has been preserved for centuries. Korean Food Systems: Secrets of the K-Diet for Healthy Aging provides an integrated and holistic approach towards the understanding how food systems of the ROK and experiences of the last 60-plus years has been sustained by traditions and ecology integrated with contemporary advances in technology and the economy.

Key Features:

  • Discusses the rationale and basis of food systems, traditions of healthy eating, and healthy aging in the Korean population and why by 2030 they will be the longest living population on the planet
  • Reflects on the role of historical, cultural, and traditional food and dietary concepts of Korea and how they have influenced healthy eating habits, contributing to health and longevity
  • Discusses the relevance of the modern genetic concepts of nutrigenomics and epigenetics, metabolic concepts such as circulation, and food concepts such as fermented and functional foods in advancing healthy food concepts and longevity
  • Provides insights how a large population can advance an integrated holistic food-based approach to longevity and wellness

As a collaboration between various outstanding authors, the insights from this book can provide global examples to align similar approaches and policies in other countries in different ecologies of planet earth.

chapter |8 pages

Introduction

Wisdom and Ecology of Korean Food Systems in the Modern World: Insights and Perspectives on Advancing Diversity of Ethnic Foods for Health and Wellness from K-Diet