What is Blue Zone, where people live for 100 years? where are these places, and how do people live there?

Blue Zones: We’ve all heard about the ‘elixir of life’ and its mythological tales, where people become immortal after drinking it. The most famous of these is the Ramayana, where the demon king Ravana becomes immortal after drinking the ‘elixir of life,’ given to him as a boon by Lord Brahma. However, these are myths. But what if we told you there are places on our blue planet where people live for 100 years? These places are called Blue Zones, and there are five such locations on Earth where the average lifespan of residents is around 100 years. In 2004, researchers Gianni Pes and Michel Poulain discovered a place called Sardinia in the Nuoro province of Italy, where people were found to live longer than elsewhere. Following this discovery, Dan Buettner identified four more places known as Blue Zones, where people share similar longevity. People living in these areas experience minimal lifestyle-related diseases and often live past 100 without the need for medication.

Singapore Becomes a New Blue Zone:

Notably, in 2023, Singapore was announced as the sixth Blue Zone due to its doubling numbers of people living above 100 years between 2010 and 2020. However, some people don’t consider Singapore as a Blue Zone citing that government investments play a significant role in Singapore’s longevity.

Where are these five Blue Zones?

In their intriguing studies, Gianni Pes, Michel Poulain and Dan Buettner pinpointed five distinct areas around the world which they labeled as ‘Blue Zones’. They’re found nestled within Ikaria of Greece, Italy’s Sardinia, Okinawa in Japan, Loma Linda within the U.S, and Costa Rica’s Nicoya region.

How People Live to Be 100 Years Old in These Blue Zones

Genetic factors, according to experts, determine approximately 20percent to 30percent of an individual’s lifespan. Environmental conditions, dietary habits, and lifestyle choices influence the rest. Notably, in Blue Zones, lifestyles are rather simple, revolving around a predominantly plant-based diet, with a limited intake of meat and fish. Although animal-based foods are occasionally part of their weekly diet, whole grains, colourful fruits, and vegetables make up the bulk of what they consume – a whopping 95percent. They lean towards seasonal eating and avoid processed foods, resulting in fewer instances of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes in these areas.