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Where on Earth do people live much longer than average? According to best-selling author Dan Buettner, there are five destinations on Earth where people live longer and healthier lives than the average population.
These areas, known as Blue Zones, have populations where it is common for individuals to live up to 90 or even 100 years old. However, the reasons behind this longevity and the locations of these modern-day Shangri-Las are still a mystery.
Curious? To learn more about these destinations where living longer is the norm, take a look at the gallery.
Sardinia, an Italian island located in the Mediterranean Sea, holds the distinction of being the first location recognized as a Blue Zone in the world.
Ogliastra, a province in Sardinia that was partly merged into Nuoro in 2016, is Italy's least populated region. However, it stands out as a place where a significant number of men live to be 100 years old.
The historical central-eastern region of Barbagia di Seulo was also identified for its aging population.
In fact, the mountain village of Seulo holds the record of 20 centenarians from 1996 to 2016 and is known as "the place where people live the longest in the world."
Ollolai, in the province of Nuoro, was included in the Blue Zone because it also has a population that includes men who have reached 100 years old.
The populations of these destinations have common lifestyle characteristics such as prioritizing family values, a decrease in smoking, and adopting a semi-vegetarian diet.
Okinawa, a group of Japanese islands located in the Pacific Ocean, is home to some of the world's longest-living individuals.
Research shows that people living in this particular Blue Zone experience lower rates of cancer, heart disease, and dementia.
The factors that contribute to a long life in Okinawa include consistent moderate physical activity, active social participation, and minimal or no alcohol consumption, to name a few.
Okinawan women boast the longest life expectancy in the world. They are also provided with social and professional empowerment from a young age.
Blue Zones are not only geographic areas where people live longer than average, but also regions where the population generally experiences a higher quality of life. In Okinawa, spirituality and religion are also significant aspects of daily living.
Residents of Okinawa have a long lifespan, partly due to their healthy Japanese diet, which includes fresh fish and seafood, vegetables, and small portions of rice. Additionally, their high soy consumption contributes to their overall well-being.
Loma Linda, a city in San Bernardino County, California, is the surprise inclusion on the Blue Zone list—Loma Linda residents have one of the highest rates of longevity in the United States!
The longevity of the population is due in part to their adherence to the cultural health and diet practices of the Seventh-day Adventists.
Alcohol sales are tightly regulated in the city, and smoking in public is prohibited.
Adventist longevity and the majority of Loma Linda residents' long life can be attributed to the Adventist focus on health, diet, and Sabbath-keeping.
The grocery store owned by the church abstains from selling meat or meat products. The church also owns the Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing Company, a prominent producer of health and vegetarian goods, such as Weet-Bix.
This example of good health and wellness in a country known for indulgence demonstrates that even Americans can live long and healthy lives.
The isolated Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica's Pacific coast is known for its high concentration of centenarians, making it another Blue Zone region.
The residents here have a significantly lower occurrence of diseases that are typically fatal in other developed regions.
Nicoya Peninsula residents share similar lifestyle characteristics to those living in other Blue Zones. Here, moderate calorie intake, a plant-based diet, and next to no alcohol all contribute to the population's long life expectancy.
Regular physical activity is cited as one of the reasons why people on the peninsula live a long life. Exercise helps reduce stress, which is known to have negative impacts on the body.
The residents of this community lead a modest way of life focused on their families, social connections, and finding meaning in life. It is a warm and inclusive community.
The extended lifespan observed among the inhabitants of Nicoya can also be linked to their secluded community and shared genetic heritage.
Ikaria, a Greek island located in the Aegean Sea, stands out for having the highest proportion of 90-year-olds in the world, with approximately one in three residents being nonagenarians.
In this peaceful Blue Zone, inhabitants experience approximately 20% lower cancer rates, 50% lower heart disease rates, and minimal dementia cases.
The prolonged lifespan of the inhabitants of Agios Kirikos, Ikaria, can be attributed to their adherence to a Mediterranean diet rich in fish and vegetables, as well as their healthy lifestyle and genetic predisposition.
Many elderly people in Ikaria don't rely on medication or have disabilities.
The agreeable climate also contributes. It's not by chance that the five Blue Zones mentioned here have consistently warm, sunny weather throughout the year.
Ikaria is known for its strong red wine. However, the island's residents attribute their longevity to their low alcohol consumption, particularly of wine. The island also emphasizes the importance of purpose, religion, and meaning, as three of their cornerstones of health.
See also: The longest living animals on earth.
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Where on Earth do people live much longer than average? According to best-selling author Dan Buettner, there are five destinations on Earth where people live longer and healthier lives than the average population.
These areas, known as Blue Zones, have populations where it is common for individuals to live up to 90 or even 100 years old. However, the reasons behind this longevity and the locations of these modern-day Shangri-Las are still a mystery.
Curious? To learn more about these destinations where living longer is the norm, take a look at the gallery.