Deep in Japan's Japanese Alps, Nagano Prefecture (formerly known as Shinshu) has achieved the highest life expectancy of both men and women in Japan, with life expectancy of 80.88 years for men and 87.18 years for women. Yet here's what makes it more remarkable: these mountain communities aren't wealthy urban centers with cutting-edge hospitals. Instead, their secret lies in traditional food practices—particularly Sunki pickles and the probiotics they contain.
Nagano men have consistently ranked at the top for longevity since 1990, and women took the top spot in 2013. This ancient wisdom is now available to Singaporeans through Vegepresso's 40 Billion CFU Aojiru—a green drink that harnesses these time-tested Japanese probiotics for modern digestive health.
The Kiso Valley's 400-Year Fermentation Legacy
The Kiso Valley sits high in Shinshu's Alpine region, where harsh winters and the need to preserve food without modern refrigeration led locals to develop Sunki—fermented red turnip leaves without any salt. This salt-free method wasn't born from choice—salt was expensive and difficult to transport to remote mountain villages in Shinshu, which once had the highest salt consumption in the country in 1965.
But this limitation led to something brilliant: a unique fermentation process that produces distinct probiotic bacteria remarkably beneficial for gut health. Research indicates that probiotic doses of 10-20 billion CFU per day are sufficient for maintaining immune and digestive health, with some studies examining higher doses for specific health needs.
Why 40 Billion CFU Makes a Real Difference
While the majority of clinical trials indicate that 10-20 billion CFU is sufficient, research studies examining larger CFU doses of 50 to 100 billion are becoming increasingly common. Vegepresso's choice of 40 billion CFU falls within the research-backed range for meaningful gut health support.
For individuals who've experienced significant alteration to their gut microbiome due to illness, use of antibiotics, or other lifestyle factors, research suggests supplementing with a high CFU probiotic may be beneficial. For Singaporeans navigating urban stress, tropical climates, and varied diets, this potent dose provides substantial bacterial reinforcement to restore microbiome balance.
What Makes Sunki-Derived Probiotics Unique
Unlike salt-based fermentation (used in kimchi and sauerkraut), Sunki relies on spontaneous fermentation—naturally occurring lactic acid bacteria from the turnip leaves and environment. This creates probiotics that are:
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Vegan & Halal-Friendly: Derived entirely from plants, not dairy
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Nano-Sized: Freeze-dried and processed for deeper intestinal penetration and colonization
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Tropical Climate Stable: No refrigeration required—perfect for Singapore's heat and humidity
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Lactose-Friendly: Safe for people with dairy sensitivities
This is why Vegepresso Aojiru is officially certified vegan and halal—it bridges diverse dietary needs while delivering authentic Japanese probiotics.
The Science Behind Sunki's Longevity Connection
Traditional wisdom now has scientific backing. In the early 1980s, Nagano launched an aggressive campaign to reduce salt consumption, encouraging residents to reduce miso soup to once daily instead of every meal, and to consume fresh vegetables—those not preserved with salt—more frequently.
Regular consumption of lacto-fermented vegetables may stimulate bacteria with the potential to produce butyrate, a compound in the gut that is widely known for its positive effects on health. Short-chain fatty acids like butyrate promote intestinal barrier integrity, play important roles in the modulation of the immune system, and regulate metabolic pathways.
The results were dramatic—by 1990, life expectancy for men had risen three years in a decade in Nagano prefecture, and 3.5 years for women.
Japanese-Grown Nutrition in Every Packet
Each Vegepresso serving combines 40 billion Sunki probiotics with a curated blend of Japanese-grown vegetables:
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Young barley leaves: Rich in chlorophyll, enzymes, and amino acids for energy and alkalinity
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Broccoli: Delivers sulforaphane and vitamin C for immune support
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Komatsuna: Japanese mustard spinach with calcium and iron for bone health
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Spinach: Additional iron, folate, and antioxidants
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Soybeans: Plant-based protein for natural sweetness and satiety
Learn more about why Japanese-grown greens beat imported alternatives in our previous deep-dive.
Freeze-Drying: Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Technology
Traditional Sunki pickles require refrigeration and don't travel well. Modern freeze-drying changes everything. This technology freezes microbes quickly at very low temperatures, then removes water through a low-temperature, low-pressure evaporation process, putting microbes in a dormant but viable state. When rehydrated, these bacteria activate fully.
The result? 40 billion robust probiotics per packet that remain stable at room temperature, ideal for tropical Singapore storage.
How Vegepresso Fits Singapore's Gut Health Needs
Singapore's multicultural food landscape, tropical humidity, and high-stress urban environment create unique digestive challenges. Vegepresso's plant-based probiotics work for everyone—whether you're vegan, halal-observant, lactose intolerant, or simply seeking effective gut health supplements.
Daily usage is simple: Mix one 3g packet with 100-150ml of cool water each morning. Within the first week, you may notice changes in digestion. By week 3-4, many users report improved energy and reduced bloating. Consistent daily use allows bacteria to establish throughout your digestive system.
Making Shinshu's Longevity Accessible
What started as a mountain survival food has become a window into optimal gut health. The people of Kiso Valley weren't trying to optimize their microbiome—they were simply preserving vegetables. Yet their pragmatic solution created one of nature's most effective probiotic foods.
Today, you don't need to live in a remote Alpine valley to benefit. Vegepresso brings Sunki probiotics to Singapore, combining freeze-drying technology with authentic bacterial strains that powered Shinshu's remarkable longevity for generations.
Your gut microbiome influences everything from immunity to mood to metabolic health. Supporting it with probiotics proven over centuries makes practical sense.
