Back in 2000, an explorer named Dan Buettner traveled to Okinawa, Japan, after reading an interesting report about the people who lived there. According to information from the World Health Organization, Okinawans have the longest disease-free life expectancy in the world. Buettner, then working for National Geographic, wanted to know why.
Buttner’s search for the secret to a long and healthy life did not end in Japan. He continued to search for further longevity hotspots, such as Italy, Greece, Costa Rica, and even California, eventually naming them the “Blue Zones.”And now these hotspots are the subject of a Netflix documentary Living to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zonesit has already inspired people to start making lifestyle changes.
But what exactly constitutes a Blue Zone? And how can you live like a Blue Zoner? As it turns out, it’s not that complicated. It’s mostly about community, regular activities, and lots of plants. Here’s what you need to know:
“Living to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones”
Living to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones ” is a four-part series and is available to stream on Netflix. It follows Buttner as he takes viewers to areas of the world he has identified as Blue Zones: Okinawa, Japan, Sardinia in Italy, Ikaria in Greece, Nicoya in Costa Rica, and populous Loma Linda, California. . Seventh-day Adventist.
Throughout the series, explorers interview people living in Blue Zones to find out why people in their communities often live such long and healthy lives. But like the existing Blue Zones, Buettner has also identified other regions of the world that he believes are notable for their longevity. It’s Singapore, aka “Blue Zone 2.0.”
“[Singapore] “This shows that we don’t need to be as sick or unhealthy as the nation,” he said. CBS News. “There are other young, economically developed countries that are very culturally diverse and achieve better health outcomes.”
Buettner also said he is evaluating and researching three new locations, but has not yet disclosed their locations.
Netflix
So what makes a blue zone, a blue zone?
Butner’s Blue Zones are regions with seemingly higher rates of centenarians and lower rates of midlife mortality and disease than in other parts of the world. According to Butner and the Blue Zone researchers, this is helped by a list of factors called the “Power 9.”
Power 9 involves natural movement (like walking or gardening regularly, rather than working out at the gym). A sense of purpose.lack of chronic Stress (people in blue zones still experience stress from time to time!). Moderate alcohol intake. Faith; a promise to care for your loved ones. A healthy social circle. Eat until you are about 80% full. And finally, eat mostly plant-based whole foods like beans and grains.
“The essence of Blue Zones is that people don’t live longer because of what we think they do. They don’t have diets, exercise programs, or supplements,” Buettner explained. . “They don’t pursue health, which is a big gap in America because we think health is something that should be pursued.”
But Buettner believes anyone can live like a Blue Zoner, no matter where in the world they’re based. And it doesn’t matter how old you are now. “If you start at any age, you can live longer,” says the explorer. “At 60, he could add another six years. And at 20, if you’re a man, if you live a blue zone lifestyle instead of a standard American lifestyle. , which could extend by another 13 years.”
If you want to take what you’ve learned from the Blue Zones documentary, you should start with one of the best, and perhaps easiest, documentaries: Plate. Below are some whole food, plant-based recipe ideas to help you create a meal plan that looks like it’s straight out of the Blue Zones. If you need more ideas, you can find an extensive collection of recipes here.
Eat Like a Blue Zone: Whole Food, Plant-Based Recipes to Try Now
1 Mexican style black bean bowl
This flavorful Mexican bowl is loaded with corn, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and black beans, and served with a dollop of tangy vegan yogurt. Nutritious and comforting, this will become one of your new go-to dinners. If you want to go even further, you can add pumpkin to get the Three Sisters effect (this is a dietary method favored by many Native Americans, where corn, beans, and pumpkin are eaten together to increase their nutritional value). increase).
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2 Warm lentil, sweet potato and arugula salad
A simple salad made with warm ingredients like lentils and sweet potatoes, perfect for the cooler months of the year. Hearty yet light, it’s the ideal combination of tangy, salty and sweet. For an authentic experience of the Blue Zone lifestyle, consider replacing sweet potatoes with purple potatoes, a staple of Okinawans.
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richa hingle
3 spicy buffalo chickpea tacos
Chickpeas are a staple on Ikaria. Embrace them with this spicy and flavorful chickpea taco recipe. It really is a crowd-pleaser, especially when served with a generous side of lunch. Just because you’re trying to eat more whole foods doesn’t mean you have to miss out on Taco Tuesday.
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Four Pineapple cashew nut fried rice
If you like pineapple on your pizza, try this pineapple fried rice. Vibrant and flavorful, the recipe also includes additional protein in the form of cashews and homemade chickpea eggs. If you want to make it Okinawan-style, try adding tofu and plenty of stir-fried vegetables.
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sarah bond
Five bulgur tabbouleh salad
Tabbouleh is already a vegan staple and has become a staple in regions such as Greece’s Blue Zone Ikaria. It’s fresh, light, and delicious, and packed with nutritious ingredients like tomatoes, scallions, herbs, and bulgur.
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Sam Turnbull
6 Tuscan-style bean pasta with sun-dried tomatoes
Creamy, comforting pasta is healthy and delicious at the same time, and this recipe proves it. With white beans, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic and onions, this Sardinian-approved dish is packed with nutritious ingredients, yet is also filling and flavorful.
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7 italian vegetable sheet pan bake
Bookmark this delicious Italian sheet pan recipe for those days when you want something simple but don’t want to miss out on nutritious ingredients. It’s packed with all kinds of delicious veggies, but the real star of the show is the light marinated tomatoes.
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Read below to learn more about plant-based whole foods.
Charlotte is a writer and editor based in sunny Southsea on England’s south coast.
