What are Blue Zones?

"Blue Zones" are geographical areas where people tend to live significantly longer than the average population. Researchers in the field of longevity and health have been drawn to these regions. The term "Blue Zones" was introduced by Dan Buettner, who found specific areas with a high number of centenarians (people over 100 years old) and low occurrences of age-related illnesses. Buettner's initial Blue Zones included: 1. Ikaria, Greece: Notable for its inhabitants' low rates of heart disease, cancer, and dementia. 2. Okinawa, Japan: Renowned for its residents' longevity, attributed to a diet centered around vegetables, tofu, and seafood. 3. Sardinia, Italy: Specifically the mountainous region of Barbagia, where residents have a tradition of strong family ties and community bonds. 4. Loma Linda, California: due to its high concentration of Seventh-day Adventists, a religious group known for their emphasis on healthy living. 5. Nicoya, Costa Rica: due to its longevity-promoting lifestyle factors such as diet, strong community bonds, active lifestyle, and a sense of purpose among its residents.