Dan Buettner is an explorer who has done a lot of research into longevity. He has come up with the Blue Zone theory and defines these blue zones as:
"demographically-confirmed and geographically-defined, and they're entire populations of people, pockets around the world where people are living as much as a decade longer than we are."
His approach was to find groups of people who were living substantially longer than the average US citizen and to study their lifestyle. He worked with National Geographic and teams of scientists who specialised in longevity research. His results are extraordinarily interesting:
Sardinia, Italy
- They celebrate older people which he thinks accounts for an extra 6 years of life expectancy.
- The Sardinian wine, Cannonau, has three times the level of antioxidants than normal wine.
- They eat a sheep’s cheese, Pecorino, which has high levels of Omega 3 Fatty Acids
- They eat very little meat, only on Sundays and special occasions.
- They spend about an hour walking up and down the hills.
Okinawa, Japan
- They have a strong sense of purpose, ‘ikigai’, which is worth about 7 extra years of life expectancy.
- Their social network, called Moai, provides support for life.
- They eat eight times the amount of Tofu than the US. Tofu contains phytoestrogens which help keep the heart healthy and skin looking younger for longer.
- Consume high quantities of soya which contain flavonoids that protect against heart disease and breast cancer.
- Active walkers and gardeners.
Nicoya, Costa Rica
- Very high levels of sunshine providing Vitamin D.
- Very hard water providing high calcium levels which could account for their low heart disease rates and fewer hip fractures.
- Diet based on beans, squash and corn tortillas.
- Strong sense of purpose.
- Strong social networks.
Ikaria, Greece
The Ikarians have 7 times more longevity than the rest of Greece.
- They drink 5 herbal teas including Sage, Rosemary and Olive leaf. These lower blood pressure which protects against cardiovascular disease.
- They take naps. People who take a nap for 30 minutes a day have a 35% lower rate of heart disease.
- Ikarian honey contains probiotic elements which kill cancer cells.
Loma Linda, California
A large population of Seventh Day Adventists who live about a decade longer than the rest of the US.
- On the Sabbath they stop, focus on god, family and their social network which helps to reduce stress levels.
- Strong social network.
- Volunteering – helps to avoid depression which can contribute to heart disease.
- They eat a big breakfast which helps you to eat less food over the rest of the day.
- Take their diet from bible: beans, legumes and plants, not much meat.
- Regular exercise.
- Drink lots of water. Those who drink lots of water reduce risk of heart attack by around 70%.
- Snack on nuts. Those eating nuts 5 times a week halved their risk of heart disease and added 2 years onto their life expectancy.
There are some common themes running through each of the Blue Zones:
- Strong social network which is thought to boost the immune system - isolation kills.
- Little meat in the diet.
- Overall exercise like walking.
- Exposed to high levels of sunshine which provides vitamin D.
Without moving to these blue zones it seems easy enough to incorporate some of their lifestyle into your own. I know I’m going to be eating less meat and investing in more herbal tea! The healthy Cannonau wine also deserves some investigation…
I want to know what you think. Are these simple changes that can add on years to your life? Or do you think it is far more complicated than the right cheese and more nuts?
(Sources: CBS, BlueZones)
