The Blue Zone Honey
What are blue zones and why strawberry tree honey is considered a longevity food
Sardinia one of the 5 Blue Zones of the World
Did you know that Sardinia has one of the world's highest rates of longevity? On the island, people enjoy long, healthy lives. Several people, although not only in interior countries, reach and frequently beyond the age of 100. The so-called blue zone includes the regions with the highest concentration of centenarians. Sardinia's Blue Zone Areas of the planet where life expectancy is higher than the global average are referred to as "blue zones." The idea was created by academics Gianni Pes and Michel Poulain, who also released a research on Sardinian centenarians. Three blue zones have been found on the island, in southern Sardinia, Barbagia, and Ogliastra. Ogliastra's "blue zone" The region of Sardinia called Ogliastra is situated in the easternmost region of the island. Even though it is frequently considered a separate region, it technically belongs to the greater Barbagia. The highest longevity rates may be found in these regions of Sardinia. It is no accident that the longest-living family in the world in 2014, 8 brothers who have lived for a combined 828 years, was found in the Ogliastra municipality of Perdasdefogu. Particularly in several Ogliastra communities, a high longevity rate is a problem: • Perdasdefogu • Villagrande Strisaili • Arzana • Talana • Baunei • Urzulei • Ulassai
The blue zone in Barbagia
The other blue zone of Sardinia is found in the "classic" Barbagia, that of Ollolai and made up of the villages in the hinterland of the province of Nuoro: • Tiana • Ovodda • Ollolai • Gavoi • Fonni • Mamoiada • Orgosolo • Oliena
The blue zone in Southern Sardinia
In the province of Southern Sardinia only one municipality belonging to the blue zones has been identified named Seulo.
The secret of longevity of centenarians
Sardinian longevity is undoubtedly influenced by a variety of circumstances. Life prospects are influenced by environmental circumstances, a more or less healthy lifestyle, and genetic factors in addition to these. Let's look more closely at the elements that, according to studies, distinguish Ogliastra and Barbagia as blue zones: • Minimal to no smoking • A semi-vegetarian diet, which includes moderate amounts of meat occasionally. • Regular consumption of legumes and honey • Regular, moderate physical activity • The significance of the family concept in culture • Residing in a small, remote area (such as an island).
What do centenarians in Sardinia eat? Blue Zone diet
One thing is certain: Barbagia and Ogliastra are unusually long-lived because of the Sardinian food. The Sardinian-Mediterranean diet is largely comprised of vegetables and milk-derived animal proteins, particularly from goat and sheep. The following foods and good eating practices may have helped Ogliastra become a blue zone: • Using olive oil for cooking • Consumption of probiotic-rich Sardinian cheeses and honey: most of the people interviewd declared that they were used to eat a spoon of strawberry tree honey every day being this honey very typical from these remote areas. • A glass of wine with dinner • Minimal red meat
Other Blue Zones locations
Despite the fact that the research only found four other places in the world with high longevity zones, Sardinia is not the only country that can boast of having blue zones: • Okinawa (Japan) • Loma Linda (California) • Nicoya Peninsula (Costa Rica) • Icaria (Greece)
You are adult at 55!
What are the characteristics of centenarians in various regions? Studies show that the people in Ogliastra, Okinawa, Loma Linda, and Icaria are used to a nearly monastic existence. They embrace a diet high in vegetables, honey instead of sugar, eat modestly, and engage in moderate physical activity. For instance, in Okinawa, people consume a lot of tea, and vegetables, together with fish, tofu, and rice, are the main components of the diet. As a result, you are not considered an adult until you are 55, and Japan, known as the "Longevity Paradise," has the highest percentage of elderly people in the world.