Blue Zones - The secrets of a long healthy life

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. 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 travelled around the world with a number of scientists to find areas where people live longer than anywhere else in the world and at the same time stay healthy for a long time. In the process, he came across five areas that are now known as Blue Zones:

Ikaria in Greece, Okinawa in Japan, Ogliastra in Sardinia, Loma Linda in California and the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica.

So what favours 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 hasone of the lowest middle-age mortality rates in the world. Buettner attributed this, among other things, to a Mediterranean diet with lots of vegetables, olive oil and fish. This diet is also attributed a high value in prevention circles. On the other hand, some residents think that besides lots of organic vegetables and clean water, especially the constant wind from the sea is very healthy. Others emphasise the special warmth and sense of community on the island.

The people are open, warm-hearted and always very happy to talk. They are fun-loving and live at their own pace. Since the Middle Ages, the island's inhabitants 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.

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 it is home to some of the world's oldest women. Spectrum magazine 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 Japanese everyday life and other life, especially on Okinawa. For them, activities that require physical activity or movement are part of everyday life. Buettner reports in his article, for example, of over 80-year-olds who prepare daily for the annual decathlon. They cover longer distances on foot or by bicycle and maintain an honest relationship with relatives and neighbours, as well as a daily midday 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 vocation and place in life is considered the highest goal, whereas material success is of lesser importance.

Ogliastra in Sardinia - the oldest men in the world

The province of Ogliastra in Sardinia is also part of the blue zone, because this region is home to the oldest men in the world. Many of them still work as shepherds in their old age. The inhabitants attribute the longevity mainly to a healthy diet: the menu primarily includes plant-based foods such as potatoes, beans, cereals, vegetables and foods rich in omega-3, as well as fats derived from dairy products. In addition, the area's inhabitants 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. They are also characterised by close relationships with family and friends and stay with the family for life.

They also have special respect for the elders in society. In their culture, prestige increases with age. Laughing together and the odd glass of red wine are as much a part of everyday life as exercise and hard physical work. It is the least populous and at the same time the longest-lived region in the country with the largest number of people over 100. 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 members of the Seventh-day Adventists - 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 diet 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. But many Loma Linda Adventists also believe that their faith plays a significant part in their health and longevity. The link between faith and a long life has been confirmed in numerous other studies.

The Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica - healthy food and social contacts

On the American continent, Büttner and his team have identified another Blue Zone, the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. Numerous residents reach their 90th year of life and a 60-year-old person has a significantly higher probability of living to 100 than in the rest of the country. Meanwhile, scientists have identified the diet of Nicoya's inhabitants as an important factor. They eat in moderation and consume little or no processed foods. Instead, there are many vegetables and fruits on the menu, including many tropical fruits that are rich in antioxidants, and amino acids.

Life in Nicoya is also characterised by special water, which is rich in calcium and magnesium and is thus said to protect against heart disease and promote strong bones. In addition to eating habits, Buettner also attributed the longevity of the inhabitants to their social life. They meet 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 neighbours.

Common features of the Blue Zones

Five regions with great cultural and climatic differences. But what do they have in common? Naturally, Dan Buettner also asked himself this question. The first thing his team noticed was that the people in the Blue Zone live in a certain isolation - on islands, peninsulas, in mountainous areas or small towns. Nevertheless, they have modern medical care. The Blue Zones are also located in subtropical to tropical regions, and the inhabitants are exposed to a lot of sunlight on average, so that vitamin D deficiency hardly ever occurs. This is advantageous, especially since researchers believe that too little vitamin D shortens life span.

In addition, the inhabitants consistently maintain a lifestyle characterised by tradition and commitment to the community. They live mainly on their own farms and work as shepherds and fishermen. Translated, this means constant movement and lots of time in the fresh air. They eat what grows or is caught in the immediate vicinity. Processed food, on the other hand, is rarely if ever on the menu.