The disastrous chain of events precipitated by the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent Tsunami that struck Japan has raised concern for the possible ramifications of radiation carried across the pacific on wind currents.

In the aftermath of the largest earthquake in to hit Japan in history, four of the six nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station are still in various stages of meltdown and continue to deteriorate.

According to the New York Times, even the best case scenario could mean that radioactive release of steam from the crippled plants could go on for weeks, months or even years.¹

People who eat miso regularly may be up to five times more resistant to radiation than those who do not eat miso. That is the conclusion of a team of researchers at Hiroshima University’s atomic bomb radiation research center.²

1. Radioactive Releases in Japan Could Last Months, Experts Say. David E. Sanger, Matt Wald The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/14/world/asia/japan-fukushima-nuclea...
2. Ohara M, Lu H, Shiraki K, Ishimura Y, Uesaka T, Katoh O, Watanabe H. Radioprotective effects of miso (fermented soy bean paste) against radiation in B6C3F1 mice: increased small intestinal crypt survival, crypt lengths and prolongation of average time to death. Hiroshima J Med Sci. 2001 Dec;50(4):83-6.

Note Nana: If you have a crock and unsterilised miso paste, you can use that as starter to make your own miso. It holds for years.