Have you ever heard of the term "Blue Zones"? They are a demographic term that describes five places in the world where people live longer than average with above-average health and well-being live longer than average. Dan Buettner has dedicated himself to finding these areas. In 2005, he published an article in National Geographic entitled "The Secrets of Long Life".
For years, he traveled around the world with several scientists to find areas where people live longer than anywhere else in the world and stay healthy for longer. In the process, he came across five areas that are now known as Blue Zones are known as:
Ikaria in Greece, Okinawa in Japan, Ogliastra in Sardinia, Loma Linda in California and the Peninsula Nicoya in Costa Rica.
What favors the health and longevity of these people?
Ikaria in Greece - The survivors
Ikaria is a mountainous island in the eastern Aegean Sea near the Turkish coast, has about 8,000 inhabitants and has one of the lowest mortality rates in middle age in the world . Buettner attributed this to a Mediterranean diet with lots of vegetables, olive oil and fish. This diet is also highly regarded also highly valued in prevention circles. On the other hand, some residents believe that in addition to plenty of organic vegetables and clean water, the constant wind from the sea is particularly healthy. Others emphasize the special warmth and the sense of community of the island.
The people are open, warm-hearted and always happy to chat. They are fun-loving and live life at their own pace. Since the Middle Ages, the inhabitants of the island have been true survivors. Back then, they hid in the mountains, camouflaged themselves behind huge rocks and thus escaped piracy. The islanders have preserved this art of calm and serenity to this day. They like to do things their own way.
A map overview of the five blue zones. Image:shutterstock.com /Dimitrios Karamitros
Okinawa in Japan - the oldest women in the country
Okinawa is an island in the south of Japan. Sweet potatoes, soybeans and various vegetables are grown in the subtropical region. According to National Geographic okinawa has become a blue zone mainly because some of the world's oldest women live here. The magazine Spektrum attributed this not only to a plant-based and moderate diet but also to the principle of Ikigai . This word means something like "meaning of life" and is deeply rooted in everyday Japanese life, especially in Okinawa Life, especially on Okinawa. For them, activities that require physical activity or movement are part of everyday life. In his article, Buettner reports, for example, on over 80-year-olds who prepare for the annual decathlon every day. They cover longer distances on foot or by bike and maintain an honest relationship with relatives and neighbors, as well as a daily afternoon nap.
The Okinawans are also known for their outstanding optimism and do not make life unnecessarily difficult for themselves, which is why they are among the happiest people in the world. Finding one's calling and place in life are considered as the highest goal, whereas material success is of lesser importance.
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Ogliastra in Sardinia - the oldest men in the world
The province of Ogliastra in Sardinia is also part of the blue zone, as this region is home to the oldest men in the world. Many of them are still working as shepherds in old age. The inhabitants attribute their longevity mainly to a healthy diet : The diet primarily includes plant-based foods such as potatoes plant-based foods such as potatoes, beans, cereals, vegetables and omega-3-rich foods, as well as fats from dairy products. In addition, the inhabitants of the area live in cultural isolation , which allows them to maintain their traditional healthy lifestyle. They still hunt, fish and harvest their fields to earn a living. In addition they are characterized by close relationships with family and friends and remain in the family for life.
They also have special respect for the elders in society. In their culture, prestige increases with age. Shared laughter and the odd glass of red wine are just as much a part of everyday life as exercise and hard physical work. It is the least populous and longest-lived region in the country with the largest number of people over 100 years of age. In the whole of Italy. Men in particular seem to have found a fountain of youth here.
Loma Linda in California - faith and a predominantly plant-based diet
The small town of Loma Linda in southern California is home to a particularly large number of Seventh-day Adventist members - a free church. This Christian religious community has long been the subject of intensive research. The Adventist Health study has been investigating for 40 years whether there is a connection between Adventist nutrition and their life expectancy. Buettner reports that they live four to ten years longer than the average Californian.
Scientists believe that residents are less likely to develop cardiovascular disease or cancer because Adventists eat a natural, plant-based diet. However, many Adventists from Loma Linda also believe that their faith contributes significantly to their health and longevity. The connection between faith and a long life has been confirmed in numerous other studies.
The Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica - healthy nutrition and social contacts
On the American continent, Büttner and his team have identified another Blue Zone, the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. Numerous inhabitants reach their 90th birthday. Year of life and a 60-year-old person is significantly more likely to live to be 100 years old than in the rest of the country. In the meantime, scientists have identified the diet of the inhabitants of Nicoya as an important factor. They eat in moderation and consume little or no processed food . Instead, there are lots of vegetables and fruit on the menu, including many tropical fruits, which are rich inantioxidants and amino acids.
Life in Nicoya is also characterized by special water, which is rich in calcium and magnesium and is therefore said to protect against heart disease and promote strong bones. In addition to eating habits, Buettner also attributed the residents' longevity to their social life. They meet and support each other and support each other with their children and grandchildren. Even people over 100 are fully integrated into social life and are regularly visited by their neighbors.
According to Peter Attia, the path to longevity is mainly through physical activity.
Common features of the Blue Zones
Five regions with major cultural and climatic differences. But what do they have in common? Dan Buettner naturally asked himself this question. The first thing his team noticed was that the people in the Blue Zone live in a certain degree of isolation - on islands, peninsulas, in mountainous areas or small towns. Nevertheless, they have have modern medical care . The Blue Zones are also located in subtropical to tropical regions , and the inhabitants are on average exposed to a lot of sunlight so that vitamin D deficiency hardly occurs. This is advantageous, especially as researchers believe that too little vitamin D shortens the lifespan.
In addition, the inhabitants consistently maintain a lifestyle characterized by tradition and a commitment to the community is. They mainly live on their own farms and work as shepherds and fishermen. Translated, this means a lot of movement and time spent in the fresh air . They eat what grows or is caught in the immediate vicinity. Processed foods, on the other hand, are rarely or never on the menu.
