Scientists have found out who lives longer: the main features of nutrition

There are places in the world where people live much longer than others. They are called blue zones. One of the elements that served as an explanation for longevity is nutrition.

Scientists have conducted extensive research and identified 5 such zones: the province of Ollastra on the island of Sardinia, the island of Okinawa in Japan, the island of Ikaria in Greece, the city of Loma Linda in California, and the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica.

OBOZREVATEL, together with riza.it, offers to familiarize yourself with the main features of the diet of the longest-lived people on our planet.

Ollastra province on the island of Sardinia: beans, sheep's milk and barley

As in the diet of other blue zones, the Sardinian diet uses vegetable proteins, which are obtained from beans cultivated on the island. They are added to soups and other dishes. Sardinian minestrone, made from vegetables, chickpeas, horse beans, as well as pasta (Malloreddus or fregola), and sometimes pork, is a recipe for longevity that has become known all over the world.

"This dish can bring almost all of the 25-30 thousand molecules that are necessary for our metabolism," emphasized Roberto Pili, a longevity researcher.

Among the peculiarities of the Sardinian diet is the consumption of goat or sheep milk, which has better nutritional properties than cow's milk and is useful for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. They are also the secret to strong bones. In addition, barley, a source of magnesium, protein, and fiber, is worth highlighting in Sardinian cuisine.

Ikaria Island in Greece: Mediterranean herbs and black beans

Ikaria is an island overlooking the Aegean Sea. It is one of the birthplaces of the Mediterranean diet, where vegetables and small fish are plentiful. In addition to olive oil and feta, Mediterranean herbs are among the foods that are the source of longevity for the inhabitants. Among them are marjoram, which contains ursolic acid, which can affect memory, and mint, a diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent.

Another notable food is black beans: a source of protein that also has anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, and cardioprotective properties. They also contain phenylalanine, an essential amino acid that is useful in the synthesis of thyroid hormones that support metabolism.

Okinawa Island in Japan: tofu, seaweed, and turmeric

Okinawa is perhaps the most famous of the blue zones. Among the characteristic foods of this nation is tofu, derived from soybeans, which allows you to stock up on protein without eating meat. Turmeric is also widespread, which is not only an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent but also able to fight Alzheimer's disease. Algae is widely used as a supplement to fish: the most common are kombu and wakame, rich in antioxidant compounds that have been found only in sea vegetables.

Loma Linda, California: dried fruit, avocado and oatmeal soup

Research on the inhabitants of this area has focused mainly on the large group of Seventh-day Adventists, who live on average 10 years longer than the general population. They follow a vegetarian diet low in sugar but rich in dried fruits, for example. Eating them at least five times a week is one of the reasons for their health and longevity. A dish that should not be missed in the Adventist diet is slow-cooked oatmeal soup, which does not raise blood sugar levels and contains iron and vitamin B. The California shopping list also includes salmon and avocados, which are valuable for good fats.

Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica: corn, pumpkin, and bananas

On this peninsula, the traditional diet is based on one of the typical grains for South America – nutritious, energizing, and gluten-free corn. Another valuable food is pumpkin, which contains carotenoids, precious antioxidants for health, and carbohydrates that do not increase blood sugar. There are also fresh fruits typical of the area, such as papaya or bananas. They are a source of carbohydrates, which make up more than 60% of the caloric intake of this population group.