The diets of these people play a large part in their longevity. Here are the five places with the world’s longest living people. This post will examine what they regularly eat.
Okinawa, Japan
Okinawa has the highest number of people living past the age of 100. Roughly 740 out of a population of 1.3 million live past 100. It also has the highest health expectancy in the world. The Chinese have referred to Okinawa as The Land of the Immortals for centuries. Okinawans follow an old adage that says “eat until you are 80 percent full” and consume an anti-oxidant rich, calorie-restricted diet. The Okinawan diet is high in tofu and fresh vegetables, with lean meats, fish, and whole grains added on occasion.
Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia has been confirmed to have the highest documented percentage of people who have passed the century threshold in the world. Its ratio is 20 times greater than that found in the United States. This island 120 miles off the coast of Italy has five centenarians in just one town of 1,700 people, Ovodda. Their longevity is reportedly due to many of them following the healthy Mediterranean diet. This includes lots of goats’ milk and cheese added at times. This diet is rich in healthy nutrients from fresh locally grown vegetables, prepared simply with olive oil, with lean meats and fish enjoyed several times per week.
Loma Linda, California
The Loma Linda community is about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. It is comprised of roughly 9,000 Seventh-Day Adventists, a religious group with a significantly higher life expectancy than the average American. The Adventists’ diet consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, dairy products, and clean meats including chicken, turkey, beef, fish, venison, lamb, and goat. They also drink plenty of water and avoid foods containing sugar, sugar substitutes, and food additives.
Nicoya, Costa Rica
On the Nicoya peninsula of Costa Rica, a man at age 60 is twice as likely to reach the age of 90 as a man living in the U.S. The population consumes a healthy diet filled with rice, corn, plantain, and beans. The diet also includes a squash-like vegetable called the chayote and fruits like the vitamin-C-rich maroñon and the pear-like anona. Their local water is naturally high in calcium and magnesium, which may also contribute to their longevity.
Ikaria, Greece
Thirty-five miles off the coast of Turkey, the Greek island of Ikaria hosts a population that is three times more likely to reach the age of 90 than Americans. The residents of Ikaria eat a Mediterranean diet high in wild greens. They regularly drink nutrient-rich herbal teas that are high in antioxidants. Their meals consist of plenty of fresh vegetables, nuts, seeds, olive oil, with a little meat or dairy.
Takeaways
Living long means putting the right food and drinks in your body. You don’t necessarily have to live in these places. It’s just important to eat like people of these countries.
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