[0:00]There are regions in the world where people are believed to live the longest and healthiest lives. These areas, dubbed Blue Zones, share several features in common, including eating primarily whole, plant-based, and non-processed foods, do regular, low-intensity physical activity and have a sense of community and purpose. Researchers, Johnny Pais and Michelle Polaine discovered the first Blue Zone, and the concept was built upon by Dan Buettner, who identified additional regions and conducted extensive research into these communities. Here are five Blue Zones of the world. Number one, Sardinia, Italy. A grouping of villages in Sardinia, Italy was the first Blue Zone to be identified after researchers found the highest concentration of men who live to be over 100. This region is home to male shepherds who typically walk five or more miles through the mountains daily, eat a primarily plant-based diet, and moderately consume local cannonau wine, the region is known for its strong family values, where elders are celebrated and all family members are cared for. A village called Sulo held the record of having 20 centenarians living in it from 1996 to 2016. Number two, Okinawa, Japan. Its residents, who eat superfoods including tofu, miso and seaweed, live by the Japanese concept of Ikigai, defined as a motivating force that gives people a sense of purpose and what a person can give to the wider world. Buettner suggests that this is a factor in the resident's long lives. The island is also known for its tradition of Moai, which involves living within strong social networks. These networks are established from childhood, when groups of about five children are typically grouped together, and they persist through adulthood as a sort of second family. In Okinawa, these groups meet regularly to provide each other with emotional and financial support, and to gossip and spend time together. Number three, Loma Linda, California, United States. Some residents of Loma Linda, California in the United States live on average 10 more years than the average American. The community, which has the highest concentration of Seventh-day Adventists, a Protestant Christian denomination in the United States, lives on a plant-based diet taken directly from the Bible, which involves eating grains, nuts and legumes. Adventists don't smoke or drink alcohol, and tend to remain active late into their lives. For some Adventists, red meat, especially pork, shellfish, refined foods and caffeine are also forbidden. Number four, Nicoya, Costa Rica. In this part of Central America, the average life expectancy is one of the world's highest at 85, despite average incomes being among the nation's lowest. The community has a strong sense of faith and family, with older people living with their families and being respected sources of wisdom. According to Buettner, Costa Ricans have a plan de vida, or life plan, which gives elders a sense of purpose. Other factors include a healthy diet of unprocessed foods, drinking hard water with high calcium content, and natural movement by walking regularly. Number five, Ikaria, Greece. The chances of living past the age of 90 are high among the residents of this Greek island, and the possibility of getting dementia is low. The people of Ikaria live a naturally active lifestyle due to the mountainous terrain and have strong social connections due to living in small communities. They eat a type of Mediterranean diet with plenty of vegetables and fruit and fast regularly due to their most common religion of Greek Orthodox Christianity. Ikarians also regularly take an afternoon nap, which has been shown to lower stress hormones and reduce the chances of dying from heart disease.
Transcript source
YouTube auto captions
This transcript was extracted from YouTube's auto-generated caption track. The transcript below is server-rendered so it can be read, searched, cited, and shared without opening the original YouTube player.
Pull quotes
[0:00]There are regions in the world where people are believed to live the longest and healthiest lives.
[0:00]Researchers, Johnny Pais and Michelle Polaine discovered the first Blue Zone, and the concept was built upon by Dan Buettner, who identified additional regions and conducted extensive research into these communities.
[0:00]A grouping of villages in Sardinia, Italy was the first Blue Zone to be identified after researchers found the highest concentration of men who live to be over 100.
[0:00]A village called Sulo held the record of having 20 centenarians living in it from 1996 to 2016.
Use this transcript
Related transcript hubs
Watch on YouTube
Share
MORE TRANSCRIPTS



