People in these five parts of the world live longer than anyone else, here's why

To live a long and healthy life is a goal shared by humanity. Over centuries, scientists have studied how to achieve longevity but it seems a select few have cracked the code without even trying.

There are five specific regions across the globe in which its inhabitants live longer, on average, than anyone else in the world and have lower rates of chronic disease. 

These regions are called blue zones – a term which refers to geographic areas in which people have lower rates of chronic disease and longer life expectancies than anywhere else. 

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They have proven that lifestyle plays a big factor in longevity with researchers discovering that diet, fasting and daily movement are factors associated with these regions. 

The term was first used by author Dan Buettner who studied areas of the world which were home to some of the world's oldest people. Read on to learn more about these blue zones. 

What are the five blue zones in the world? 

In his book, Buettner coined five Blue Zones: Icaria in Greece; Ogliastra, Sardinia in Italy; Okinawa in Japan; Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rice and the Seventh-day Adventist community in Loma Linda, California in the United States of America. He later documented them in a documentary called Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones.

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Each of these zones are in disparate parts of the globe but all have some of the oldest living inhabitants. They also all share similar lifestyles which promote eating whole foods, enjoying incidental exercise, leading life with a sense of purpose and enjoying connections. 

What are the nine principles of blue zones?

Throughout his research, Buettner discovered that individuals living in these Blue Zones were not focused on optimising their wellness but rather lived in an environment which naturally fostered a lifestyle of longevity.  

He discovered the same nine lifestyle principles, or Power 9, in each Blue Zone. 

1. Move Naturally

Buettner discovered that rather than scheduling in gym sessions or counting their step count, people living in blue zones led lives that incorporated natural exercise, whether that was gardening, kneading their own bread or walking in naturally hilly areas. 

2. Downshift

People living in Blue Zones had daily rituals that helped them manage life's stressors like prayer, napping or drinking wine with friends after a day of work. 

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3. Purpose

Buettner noted that people living in each of these regions each led their lives with an inherent sense of purpose.

4. Wine @ 5

Except for the Seventh Day Adventists, Buettner observed that people in the blue zones consumed a fairly moderate amount of alcohol (most commonly two glasses per day).

5. Plant Slant

The majority of people living in blue zones ate a majority plant-based diet including plenty of beans. They also eat plenty of carbs but in the form of whole grains and sourdough rather than processed carbohydrates.

Those in the blue zone of Icaria, Greece tend to eat a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil, red wine and homegrown vegetables.

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6. 80 per cent rule

Buettner observed that people in these regions tended to observe the 80 per cent rule where they would eat until they were 80 per cent full - this was particularly noted in Okinawa. In all the blue zones people would eat a large breakfast, a smaller lunch with dinner being the smallest meal of the day. 

7. Loved ones first

People living in the blue zones tend to put a lot of effort into maintaining their relationships with their families. In these areas it is common for children to keep their aging parents nearby, with some even living in the same house.

8. Belong

In each blue zone, people tend to foster a sense of belonging in a faith-based community

9. Right tribe

Buettner observed that the longest-living people in these areas tended to surround themselves with people who supported healthy behaviours.

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Do people in blue zones drink coffee and drink wine?

Contrary to some diet culture belief, those living in blue zones do not restrict themselves from what some would consider indulgences like alcohol and wine. Instead, they incorporate it into a healthy lifestyle which also values whole foods, exercise and community.

Notably in the blue zone of Italy's Ogliastra, people tend to enjoy plenty of pasta but instead of quick, processed pasta they produce and eat homemade pasta made with wholegrain pasta which can help reduce a spike in blood sugar.

They also tend to add olive oil and an acid like tomato which can help reduce the sugar spike even more.

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