PLACES WHERE PEOPLE LIVE THE LONGEST
The mountainous highlands in the Barbagia region of Sardinia have the world’s highest concentration of male centenarians. Due to geographic isolation, the genes of the residents in this area of Sardinia have remained to a great extent undiluted. Residents of this area are also culturally isolated, resulting in continuing to embrace a very traditional and healthy lifestyle, hunting, fishing and harvesting the food they eat.
Okinawa, Japan
Women at the islands at the southern end of Japan live longer than any women on the planet. One of their greatest secrets is a strong dedication to friends and family. They maintain a strong social network called ‘moai’, meaning a lifelong circle of friends that support each other well into old age. Okinawans are also known for having a strong sense of purpose in life, a driving force they call ‘ikigai’.
Nicoya, Costa Rica
Although this Central American nation is geographically close to the U.S., the two regions have significantly different longevity scores. In Nicoya, a peninsula south of the Nicaraguan border prevails the concept of ‘plan de vida’, meaning a reason to live, which encourages a positive outlook among elders to keep them active.
Loma Linda, California
In South California, the community of Seventh-day Adventists live more than 10 years longer than the rest of America, and their longevity is related to vegetarianism, regular exercise and abstinence from alcohol and smoking.
Ikaria, Greece
The Aegean island has one of the world’s lowest rates of middle-age mortality and the lowest rate of dementia. One in three residents of Ikaria makes it to their 90s, the result of a combination of factors including geography, culture, outlook and lifestyle, characterised by a relaxed pace of life that ignores clocks.