What are Blue Zones?

The recognition of Blue Zones began with research made by the professors Gianni Pes and Michel Poulain.   These gentleman were focusing on the island of Sardinia because of the amazing fact of the longevity of men in the province of Nuoro.  It was determined through data studies that these people were the longest living male population in the world.  A writer from National Geographic, Dan Buettner, used this same research to write a series of stories documenting Sardinian longevity and later identified other places around the world that had similar charateristics.  Dan Buettner was able through his writing and workshops to bring the idea of Blue Zone life to a much greater audience and it has been received with much acclaim.  It was just the right time for the public to listen, because at the same time the world was becoming more familiar with the emerging Mediterranean diet. 

Around the beginning of the 2000s, studies showed again and again that it was clear that there were fundamental parts of the diet of the inhabitants of this part of the world, notably plant based diets, physical activity and family proximity among much more that contributed to the overall health of its population.  With the Mediterranean diet, red wine became good for you, chocolate as well and olive oil began to show up more and more on the shelves of US supermarkets.  Life in a certain, got much better and food was beginning to be seen as something exciting.  The world continues today to look to these parts of the world for health advice and lifestyle changes to combat the rash of illnesses that have skyrocketed in the US due to poor diet and unhealthy behavior.

Eventually more sites were identified around the world where the population was living longer and they were defined by several common traits.  Physical exercise, close social or family relationships, plant based diets and good old fashioned sunshine.  Taking three different sites where centenarians abound these characteristics were noted: