Who doesn’t want to look and feel young way up in to your 80s, 90s and possibly over 100? People every day try to find things that will turn back time and make us look younger and feel younger. Some say the island of Ikaria in Greece and other Blue Zones have the answers.

WHAT IS A BLUE ZONE?

The Blue Zones are five areas that researcher Dan Buettner found that people live to the age of 100 and over in really high numbers. These areas include: Ikaria, Greece; Okinawa, Japan; Ogliastra Region, Sardinia; Loma Linda, California.; and Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

IKARIA, GREECE

First up is Ikaria, Greece. Natives of Ikaria are known to live well past 100 years of age. In fact, 1 in 3 live past 90 years old. So, what do the residents do in their everyday life that works for them?

Here are a few things they put into practice each day.

First is getting plenty of rest, which most of us already know.

They drink herbal teas
They tend to stay away from meats, flour and sugar
No processed food
Regular naps throughout the day- 3 a week to be precise to help cut down on coronary heart disease
They follow the Mediterranean diet which consists of Goat’s milk, wine, olive oil, and wild greens
Exercise

OKINAWA, JAPAN

Next up is Okinawa in Japan. People here not only live longer, but they age better as well. Having a large social system is said to help residents live longer. Japan even has over 70,000 people over the age of 100. That is remarkable stats. Many in Okinawa believe that food actually changes their genes. Unlike in Greece, many Okinawans stay away from fish and eat seaweed instead. Sweet potatoes make up most of their diet at 67 percent, so they are not along the same path as most from Japan who eat a lot of rice.
But many believe that their laid-back way of life is the key. They are happy go lucky people who enjoy the slower pace of life. This is reason alone to get out of the cities.
They believe in staying active even after they retire. Residents of Okinawa practice martial arts which is where the system of combat originates from.

SARDINIA,  ITALY

Unlike living in the United States, the elderly is promoted and not sent to live in nursing homes and retirement homes. Sardinia values their older generations. If they are able, family members put them to work tending gardens or babysitting their grandkids. They understand that just because you get up in years, it doesn’t mean that you still cannot work.

Sardinia, Italy is the first Blue Zone that was identified. Residents of Sardinia continue to hunt and harvest the food they eat, stay in close contact with the friends and family they love and stay active throughout their lives.

Walk five miles a day or more
Eat a plant-based diet with some meat

Put their family’s first above work
Allow themselves a glass or two of wine each day
Drink Goat’s milk to prevent inflammatory diseases

LOMA LINDA, CALIFORNIA

The U.S has one Blue Zone to contribute to the list. Around 9000 members of the Seventh-day Adventist church in Loma Linda view their health as central to their church’s faith.

Just like the other Blue Zones on the list, Loma residents watch what they eat and cut out salt and grease from their diet. They also spend a lot of time with family, friends and their community and try to lead a stress free life. 

NICOYA PENINSULA, COSTA RICA

Nicoya is a beautiful destination that sees warm and sunny weather all year long which means, plenty of Vitamin D. We all know that daily Vitamin D is necessary to help with stronger bones, better immunity and some believe it can help prevent certain cancers.

The residents get out in the sun daily and keep active which is shared by other Blue Zones.

The Water in Nicoya has the hardest calcium levels in all of Costa Rica, which means high levels of calcium

Eat plant-based foods- lots of whole grains, nuts, fruits and veggies

Keep strong community ties
Nicoya is known for pura vida or low-stress, laid back lifestyle

BLUE ZONE DIET

Here are some foods to add to your diet:
Fennel, Leafy Greens, Potatoes, Shiitake mushrooms Squash Sweet potatoes Wild greens Yuca Seaweed Kohlrabi, Almonds Brazil nuts Cashews Walnuts Chia seeds Pecan, Black beans Black-eyed peas Chickpeas Fava beans Lentils Peas Peanuts Avocados Bananas Lemons Papayas Tomatoes Sweet peppers, Tofu