Blue Zones are geographic areas where people live longer and healthier lives than average, and are home to some of the world's oldest people. The term was coined in 2005 by American author and National Geographic journalist Dan Buettner, who chose it because he used a blue pen to mark villages on a map with long-lived populations.
The five official Blue Zones are:
Okinawa, Japan: People eat a lot of soy-based foods, purple sweet potatoes and practice tai chi, a meditative form of exercise.
Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica: People regularly perform physical jobs into old age and have a sense of life purpose known as “plan de vida”. They tend to grow their own vegetables
Ikaria, Greece: The diet is more traditionally Mediterranean, with plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans, olive oil, goat's cheese, honey, and herbs. The island community also has a mid-afternoon break, which is thought to help lower stress and rest the heart.
Loma Linda, California, USA: The area is well known for having a large population of Seventh-day Adventists. This Protestant religious group is known for traditions like observing meat-free diets, avoiding alcohol and smoking, and finding meaning through faith and service.
Sardinia, Italy: The diet is rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for heart health. Sardinians eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, olive oil, and pecorino cheese made from sheep's milk.
Researchers have found that the key elements that create Blue Zones are factors like diet, lifestyle, and community-oriented living.
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