Why People In Blue Zones Live Longer

🌍 Unveiling the Mystery of Blue Zones: The Hotspots of Longevity

Today, we're taking you on a global trek to some fascinating corners of the world where people live significantly longer and healthier lives. These places, termed as 'Blue Zones,' were identified by National Geographic Fellow and author Dan Buettner, who unveiled the lifestyle secrets that allow these communities to outlive the rest of us.

1. Sardinia, Italy 🇮🇹 Astonishingly, this mountainous Mediterranean island is home to the world's highest concentration of male centenarians (people that live to 100).

Things that help them live longer: Close-knit family structures, physical labor, and a plant-based diet rich in local fruits, and lots of vegetables, all factor into Sardinians' secret sauce for longevity.

2. Okinawa, Japan 🇯🇵 Meet the planet's oldest women. Okinawans have less cancer, heart disease, and dementia compared to westerners, and women here live longer than women anywhere else in the world.

Their secret sauce? A sense of purpose (or "Ikigai"), a low-calorie diet rich in fish, soy, and purple sweet potatoes, and robust social circles. *currently fist pumping knowing that sushi will make me live longer*

3. Loma Linda, California, USA 🇺🇸 The only Blue Zone in the United States, Loma Linda is primarily home to a community of Seventh-day Adventists, many of whom outlive their fellow Americans by about a decade. I am personally shocked that anywhere in America has a Blue-Zone but apparently it’s true.

Key to their longevity? Prioritization of community and faith (don’t mistake me saying that religion will help you live longer, but the sense of community associated with it just might), vegetarian diets, eating nuts, and live active lifestyles. A city wide one-a-week Sabbath (day of rest) also contributes to stress management and sense of community.

4. Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica 🇨🇷 This sunny peninsula has the world's lowest rates of middle-age mortality and the second highest concentration of male centenarians.

How? Strong family connections, physical labor, a diet rich in tropical fruits, and a "plan de vida" or strong sense of purpose. I’m sure getting a rich diet of vitamin D doesn’t hurt.

5. Ikaria, Greece 🇬🇷 Named after Icarus, who flew too close to the sun, it's ironic that Ikarians seem to have found the secret to fly close to immortality. They outlive Europeans and Americans by almost a decade.

They do so with a diet rich in vegetables, legumes, and olive oil, plenty of physical activity, and a lot of afternoon naps.

Can the simple ways of life in these Blue Zones inspire us to recalibrate our lifestyle choices? In the next section, we'll delve deeper into the unique lifestyle elements of these remarkable communities. Stay tuned for a dose of timeless wisdom, directly from the world's longevity hotspots!

🥗 Blue Zone Diets: What To Put In Your Face Hole so You Can Live To 100+

1. Sardinia, Italy 🇮🇹 Sardinians follow a traditional Mediterranean diet, lauded as one of the healthiest in the world. Here's their formula:

• Legumes: Beans, chickpeas, lentils, and fava beans are the cornerstone of their meals.

• Top quality olive oil: They got that good good.

• Whole grains: Bread is life here, specifically whole grain sourdough.

• Vegetables & Fruits: Local produce is consumed in abundance.

• Red Wine: Moderate consumption of local red wine, rich in antioxidants. I’m not personally sold on the advent of wine helping people live longer but it is very much a part of their diet so it is hard to ignore.

2. Okinawa, Japan 🇯🇵 The Okinawans believe in 'Hara Hachi Bu' or eating until they are 80% full. Their diet:

• Sweet Potatoes: Not your average spuds, these are purple and packed with antioxidants.

• Soy Foods: Tofu, miso, and soybeans (edamame) are a dietary staple.

• Vegetables & Seaweeds: They consume an array of local veggies and seaweeds.

• Fish: Fish are filled with healthy fats and provide essential omega-3 fatty acids that are great for your heart, eyes, skin, brain and more.

3. Loma Linda, California, USA 🇺🇸 Loma Linda Adventists live by the biblical diet that emphasizes:

• Plant-Based Foods: Whole grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables form the bulk of their diet.

• Legumes: Beans, peas, and lentils are a primary protein source.

• Soy Milk: Many choose soy milk over dairy.

• Water: They advocate water over any other beverage. Unlike the rest of America that prioritizes Coke…

4. Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica 🇨🇷 Nicoyans live by a high-carb diet that's been fuelling their long lives. The components:

• Maise Tortillas: A staple at every meal. Note the whole grains…

• Beans: A key protein source that's consumed daily.

• Squash & Yams: These fiber-rich veggies are widely consumed.

• Fruits: Papayas, bananas, and pejibayes (peach palm fruit) are dietary favorites. Love to hear it because who doesn’t like bananas and papayas? My only question is, wtf is a pejibayes.

5. Ikaria, Greece 🇬🇷 Ikarians stick to the age-old Mediterranean diet, which includes:

• Vegetables & Fruits: Local, seasonal, and wild greens dominate their meals.

• Legumes: Lentils, garbanzos, and black-eyed peas are commonly eaten.

• Potatoes: Boiled or baked, they're a key part of the diet.

• Herbal Tea: Ikarians love their local herbal teas, rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

Blue Zone Lifestyle Takeaways

Diet:

• Loads of fruits & vegetables

• Whole grains and minimally processed foods

• Soy and Legumes are a major source of protein, as well as seafood

• Nuts 🥜

• Eat yo fibre son

• Calorie restriction

• Stop eating before you’re “full”

• High quality olive oil - helps reduce oxidized LDL (I HAVE SOME FIRST HAND RESEARCH)

Other factors:

• It seems that people have a sense of purpose

• Everyone is active, even as they get older

• Vitamin D

• Strong family connections and social engagement across all ages

• Most of these places are beautiful, and then there’s Linda Loma…

• Someone from Linda Loma 100% paid to be on this list

I’ve talked about Brian Johnson on here before and unsurprisingly enough, his morning routine touches on almost all the diet and lifestyle things that I took away from learning about Blue Zones. If you’re interested in Blue Zones, Dan Buettner is a NY Times #1 best selling author who has published a ton of work on these places if you want to check him out.

Wishing you a fibre filled rest of your week. May your life be long and your bowel movements be consistent.