Factors of Longevity

A Happy New Year 2024 to Everyone!

I recently watched a series on Netflix called ‘Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones’. It is a documentary on a set of zones in the world (called Blue Zones) which consist of the highest percentage of centenarians as compared to the rest of the world. The writer conducted a fairly indepth research to understand what factors led to this kind of outlier longevity and tried to find common factors irrespective of geography, ethnicity, genes – focusing on the ones that are associated with lifestyle choices. I made notes (as is my habit) while watching it to capture some of the factors he mentioned while traversing across the Blue Zones in the world.

It made for interesting reading. Here is the list of those factors for longevity.

Mostly Vegetarian dietFruitsNo meat except fishDaily low intensity physical activityJoyful CommunityLaughterLong-term Committed PartnerSweet PotatoFaith and Spiritual belief and practiceHoneyActivity or work providing purposeWineHerbs and VegetablesComfortable Income or Secure FinancesWork for up to four hoursStay with familyBeans Corn and RiceClose friends

The epiphany is that the same things that help us live a long healthy life are the things that make life worth living. This was the last line in the documentary.

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