Blue Zone: Places where people live the longest!

It is a goal of many to live a long and healthy life, and enjoy an additional decade or two with their loved ones, cherish extra moments with friends, or explore the world during their golden years. While genetics play a significant role, reaching one's 80s, 90s, or even celebrating a centenary is becoming increasingly common. In fact, the United Nations predict that the number of individuals reaching the age of 100 and above will expand by 8 fold by the year 2050. If you want to know if you have a high chance of making it to 100, check your zip code to see if you live in a Blue Zone. Researcher Dan Buettner first coined the term Blue Zone, which actually refers to places that are home to some of the world’s oldest and healthiest people. As per Buettner, there are actually five places where people live till their 80s, 90s, and manage to surpass the 100 mark with ease.Here’s all that you need to know about these Blue Zone places.

It was the initial Blue Zone that was pinpointed by Buettner and his team back in 2004. As per the Blue Zones website, researchers discovered a ‘rare genetic peculiarity’ that is prevalent among most of its residents, and are linked to their longevity. The website also highlights that the people of Sardinia maintain a highly active lifestyle, and engage themselves in activities like hunting, fishing, and sourcing most of their food locally. Their diet predominantly consists of healthful elements such as whole-grain bread, beans, homegrown vegetables, fruits, and mastic oil, all of which contribute significantly to heart health. Equally vital is their practice of sharing laughter and enjoying wine together.

Costa Ricans have a proverb that deserves universal adoption, Pura Vida, which translates to ‘pure life.’ Their profound commitment to find joy in each day has proven highly beneficial for the people here, which allowed them to enjoy additional years of good health. Then, it also comes down to the strength of family bonds, a sense of purpose in daily life, and, as you may have guessed, maintaining a healthy diet. Further, in Nicoya, individuals typically enjoy a light early evening meal. Also, throughout their lives, centenarians from Nicoya have adhered to a traditional Mesoamerican diet that prominently features the 'three sisters' of agriculture, i.e., beans, squash, and corn.

As per the findings from Blue Zones, the residents of Okinawa enjoy the privilege of significantly lower rates of deadly diseases like dementia and heart disease when compared to their American counterparts. Their remarkable longevity can be attributed to robust social connections and a profound sense of purpose in life. The website reports, "Elderly individuals in Okinawa can easily express the motivation that drives them each day. Their lives are imbued with purpose, granting them distinct responsibilities and a sense of being indispensable well into their centenary years." Additionally, the residents of Okinawa tend to prefer a predominantly plant-based diet.

As per the reports, most residents of this island in Greece typically live till 90 years. It is most likely because of their laid-back vibe and socializing nature, while some experts attribute it to their Mediterranean diet. It’s also important to note that this is mostly because of their pure Mediterranean diet, which typically includes around 120 kinds of greens, which have 10 times more antioxidants that one can find in wine.

The town of Loma Linda in California is home to the longest living population of America. As per some experts, it’s because of the faith they follow. If reports are to go by, most of the people here are members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, who are among the longest-living Americans. It’s said that those following this religion typically live a decade longer than the average people in the rest of the country. Nobody knows the precise reason though.