There are only 5 blue zones in the world, including our beautiful Sardinia, island of centenarians, a true paradise on earth of longevity!
What are blue zones?
Blue zones are demographic and/or geographical areas of the world where life expectancy is significantly higher than the world average. The concept was born when scholars Gianni Pes and Michel Poulain published their demographic study on human longevity in Experimental Gerontology. The study showed that the province of Nuoro, in Sardinia, is the area with the highest concentration of centenarians in the world. The scholars, to proceed with the work, traced on the map series of concentric blue circles that indicated the areas with the highest longevity, hence the term "blue zone".
What and where are these blue zones?
- Sardinia, Italy. In particular, in the province of Nuoro, the mountain villages of the Barbagia sub-region of Ogliastra and Barbagia di Ollolai. A group of demographers has identified a peak longevity zone in inland mountain villages where humans reach 100 years of age with extraordinary frequency.
- The island of Okinawa, Japan. Here a group of individuals who have been recognized as among the longest-lived in the world was examined.
- Loma Linda, California. The researchers studied a Seventh-day Adventist Christian church community whose members are among the longest-lived in all of North America.
- Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. The peninsula has been the subject of longevity research since January 2007.
- Ikaria, Greece. In April 2009, a study carried out on the island of Ikaria discovered the highest percentage of ninety-year-olds on the planet. Almost one in three inhabitants of the island reaches the age of 90.
The longest-lived cities in Sardinia
Ogliastra has been identified as the area with the highest concentration of male centenarians. In Ogliastra, the centers with a high number of centenarians included in the blue zone are: Strisaili, Arzana, Talana, Baunei, Urzulei and Triei. In the Province of Nuoro, the centers identified in the blue zone are Tiana, Ovodda, Ollolai, Gavoi, Fonni, Mamoiada, Orgosolo, Oliena. All part of the Barbagia di Ollolai. In the Province of Southern Sardinia, on the other hand, the blue zone can be found in only one town, Seulo. Capital of the Sardinian sub-region of the same name of Barbagia di Seùlo, the latter has recorded 20 centenarians in the last 20 years, confirming itself as the "longest-lived country in the world".
Common habits among centenarians in the blue zones.
Since time immemorial, important people such as emperors, scholars, wealthy people, etc., have been trying to understand what are the elements that can make us live longer. The same purpose is that of this research, the data of the longest-lived people were examined to find the habits in common between these distant and different populations. In order to have at least an approximate idea of what are the beneficial habits for our health. From a genetic point of view, these populations are very different, so it is not a hereditary factor. The causes are due to the environment, diet and lifestyle.
The main similarities highlighted are:
- The Family is very important, having a precise role helps to feel responsible towards others as well. So the satisfaction of helping and being helped in times of need can make us feel happier and with fewer worries.
- Little stress, the people in question have in common a life that tends to be happy and satisfying even in small things. It's okay to be worried about important things, unexpected events that unfortunately happen to everyone, but we have to face them with the awareness that sometimes we can't do anything and certain unpleasant events can help us. So when things are going well, health and basic needs are met, it is useless to find a way to complain for futile reasons but on the contrary it is useful to be grateful for everything you have.
conclusions
Let's face it, after all, each of us more or less knows what is best for our health, but we often let ourselves go. We all know that we need to move to keep fit, we know that certain foods, although tasty, do not help us stay healthy.
But one of the most important things in my opinion is the approach you have in dealing with life, often people are conflicted, they barely get by, they complain, they always want more and/or they take little care of themselves.
Medicine has made enormous strides and is helping us to live longer and longer, but we must not rely only on medicines. Diseases often result from prolonged stress conditions, so we must notice these ailments and act directly at the source.
A happy life
It is very important to "take it slow" and enjoy life without too many complications. Be in company, eat foods as natural as possible and not get to be totally full. Have a more abundant breakfast and prefer the intake of calories until the middle of the day and less in the evening.
Then of course you can also let yourself go every now and then, especially on holidays in the company of friends and relatives. With the right balance, after all you have to enjoy life and laugh, laugh and laugh!!
Based on the life experiences I’ve gained within my family, I believe that longevity is determined by the following ratio:
25% exercise and moving,
15% social life, and less stress,
and 60% our diet and what we eat—and that is exactly what we can share with you from our culture.