Longevity

Variegated ginger is just starting to flower in a shady part of our garden. It's also called shell ginger, with botanical name Alpinia zerumbet. It comes from Japan and China, where in places it is used in cooking. There is a theory, Wikipedia tells us, that the long life expectancy of the people of Okinawa may be attributed to consuming this plant. We're told that research has investigated this - but not told the outcome.