The 6 ◄◄◄◄◄◄◄ Healthiest Staple Foods in Japanese Cuisine|||||||||||||||||

Japanese cuisine relies heavily on the surrounding ocean -- seafood including fish, octopus, squid, crab, clams, shrimp, lobster and seaweed is a staple part of many meals.

Even more standard than seafood, though, is steamed brown rice, which is eaten with just about every meal. Beef, noodles and spices like ginger, soy sauce, wasabi (Japanese horseradish), rice wine and rice vinegar are other essential ingredients.

Japanese food is often regarded as one of the healthiest cuisines in the world, but here we've highlighted the best of the best when it comes to traditional Japanese cooking.

1. Miso

Miso is a fermented soybean paste. After fermenting for a number of weeks to years, depending on variety, miso comes out with a texture similar to peanut butter, and a strong, salty flavor. It is used as a condiment, a flavoring agent and to make the popular miso soup.

Health Benefits: Miso contains many trace minerals including zinc, manganese, and copper, which help to strengthen the immune system, boost energy, and protect bones and blood vessels. It is also a rich source of protein -- one tablespoon has 2 grams of protein and just 25 calories.

Studies have also found that substances in miso help reduce the risk of breast cancer. Note: Miso is high in sodium, so it may not be appropriate for those on low-sodium diets.

2. Seaweed

Seaweeds like kelp, wakame, arame and dulse are commonly used to make Japanese salads and are added to soups, stews and other dishes. Seaweed is also used as a wrap for sushi. Seaweed tastes similar to leafy green vegetables, with an underlying salty, sea flavor.

Health Benefits: Seaweed contains the broadest range of minerals of any food -- the same minerals found in the ocean and in human blood, such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and iodine.

Seaweed also contains vitamin C, fiber, beta-carotene, and pantothenic acid and riboflavin -- two B-vitamins needed for your body to produce energy.

3. Natto

Natto is made from fermented soybeans and is a common breakfast food in Japan. It has a strong smell -- somewhat like a strong cheese -- and a sticky texture, and is often eaten with rice, soy sauce and chopped green onion.

Health Benefits: Natto is an excellent source of protein, vitamin B2, and vitamin k2, which is useful for preventing osteoporosis. It contains compounds including phytoestrogen, selenium and others that may help prevent cancer, and also contains a powerful beneficial enzyme called nattokinase.

Nattokinase has been found to help prevent and reduce the risk of blood clots, as well as provide heart-protective benefits. Some studies suggest that nattokinase can also reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

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4. Mushrooms

Many mushroom varieties, including shitake and enoki, are popular in Japanese cuisine. They're used in soups, salads, and many other dishes.

Health Benefits: Mushrooms are rich in protein, fiber, vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium and minerals, but they are also renowned for their many medicinal properties. These nutritional powerhouses have been found to:

• Protect heart health
• Lower the risk of cancer
• Boost immune function
• Reduce high cholesterol
• Fight off viruses, bacteria and fungi
• Reduce inflammation
• Combat allergies
• Help balance blood sugar levels
• Support the body's detoxification mechanisms
• Help fight blood clots

5. Green Tea

Green tea is served at the end of traditional Japanese meals (not throughout the meal as is common in the United States). Although widely consumed in Japan for centuries, green tea is thought to have originated in China and Northern India.

Health Benefits: Green tea is a rich source of catechin polyphenols, namely epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is a potent antioxidant that appears to be responsible for many of green tea's health benefits. Green tea has been found to help:

• Cancer
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• High cholesterol levels
• Heart disease
• Infection
• Impaired immune function
• Obesity, overweight
• High blood sugar levels

Note: Certain varieties of green tea (and other tea) may contain huge levels of fluoride that could be harmful. Before drinking green tea, it's important to find a source that is pure.

6. Sashimi

Sashimi is thinly sliced raw fish, savored for its simplicity and often served with wasabi and soy sauce, and sometimes a bowl of rice.

Health Benefits: Sashimi offers all of the benefits of fresh fish -- an excellent source of protein, omega-3 fats, and other nutrients like selenium, niacin and vitamin B12, phosphorous, magnesium and vitamin B6. Because sashimi is consumed raw, it is possible for it to contain parasites, but choosing "sashimi grade" fish, or dining at a reputable restaurant, should reduce these risks.