The mystery surrounding a long, healthy life has fascinated mankind since time immemorial. And scientists are also particularly interested in the areas of this earth where people seem to grow old effortlessly and stay healthy at the same time. As early as 2005, an article by Dan Buettner appeared in the magazine "National Geographic"in which he describes a year-long research trip around the world. In it, he and a team of scientists set themselves the task of researching precisely those areas around the globe where the inhabitants grow oldest and are healthy.

The result: He found a total of five places, which he named "Blue Zones". Here you will find the places in the world where a long and healthy life is possible.

Ikaria in Greece

Ikaria is located in the northern Aegean Sea and has about 8,000 inhabitants. The island has made a name for itself as one of the places with the lowest middle-age mortality rates in the world. Dan Buettner explains this impressive fact by the fact that most of the island's inhabitants stick to the Mediterranean diet, which is considered to be very healthy. This means that they eat a lot of vegetables, fish and olive oil - of which there is plenty in Greece. According to the research report, locals attribute their long life expectancy to organically grown vegetables, clean water, and steady sea breezes. A few residents also attribute the low mortality rate to the warmth, as well as the sense of community on Ikaria. Whatever the reason, it is clear that this Greek island is a Blue Zone.

Okinawa in Japan

There is also a so-called Blue Zone in Japan - on the island of Okinawa, in the south of the country. The place is known because the oldest women in the world are said to live there. This could be due to the subtropical climate, which means that the locals grow more sweet potatoes, soy and numerous vegetables and eat them accordingly. But also the "Ikagai" principle is supposed to be a reason for the high and healthy age of the people. Because this means as much as "worth living" and puts the focus not on material things, but much more on the fact that every person finds his personal vocation in the course of his life and also lives and enjoys it until old age. That's why there are also over 80-year-olds on this island who train every day for the annual decathlon.

Ogliastra in Sardinia

While Japan is said to be home to the oldest women in the world, in Ogliastra in Sardinia it is the men who grow particularly old. That is why this area is also classified as a Blue Zone in the world. Many of the old men are still passionate shepherds until they are very old. The inhabitants believe that they grow so old because of their particularly healthy diet and lifestyle. The menu consists mainly of plant-based foods such as potatoes, beans, cereals and vegetables. But the dairy products from their own grazing animals are also said to promote health by supplying the body with omega-3 fatty acids. Another reason why people grow so old, especially in this place in Sardinia, could be that they are true family people, they always stay in the same place and their reputation increases the older they are.

Loma Linda in California

It gets particularly exciting in California. Because in the small town of Loma Linda, which is also known as the Blue Zone, people live four to ten years longer than the average Californian. But not every inhabitant of this place has this high life expectancy - it is mainly followers of the Christian religious community "Seventh-day Adventists". Researchers believe that Adventists are less likely to develop cancer and have few cardiovascular problems because they eat an all-plant, all-natural diet. The residents themselves say that their faith keeps them healthy and vibrant. This claim is not completely out of the air - because according to science it has already been proven that people who have a particularly strong faith and regularly attend church, live a little longer and are healthier than the average.

On the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica

The fifth Blue Zone is in Costa Rica - on the Nicoya Peninsula, to be exact. There, too, the mortality rate in middle age is very low. After Sardinia, the most men over 100 years old live there. According to the research team around Buettner, this is mainly due to the regular, healthy exercise that locals do there. However, the extremely strong social and spiritual community of the island's inhabitants is also said to ensure that the people there remain healthy into old age.

The Blue Zones have this in common

The question that arises here: Do these zones on Earth have anything in common, or is it merely coincidence that people get very old and hardly sick right here? Dan Buettner has the answer. Because during his research trip, he has very much noticed things that are noticeable in each of the five places.

• In a way, each of the five places is isolated. Either the Blue Zones are islands, peninsulas, small towns or regions in the mountains.
• Tradition is very important to the locals of the Blue Zones: Most of them lead a life as shepherds, fishermen and farmers and accordingly often move in the wild.
• Nutrition is also particularly important in these areas. They eat mainly what grows around their environment and can be caught.
• Another thing that all Blue Zones have in common is the social network that exists around the residents. Even the people in old age are regarded and included in their family and friend circles and thus also actively shape life.
• Due to the fact that all these regions are located in subtropical to tropical areas, the well-known vitamin D could also ensure that these people become particularly old and stay healthy. Because the power of the sun should not be underestimated.

Picture Credit: Momax / Pixabay, Ulrike Leone / Pixabay, Simon Steinberger / Pixabay, Sebastian Corrales / Unsplash, Pablo Heimplatz / Unsplash, Thuy Habich / Pixabay