Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Sardina. One of the world’s first regions (after Okinawa) to be recognized as a “Blue Zone”, or region of exceptional longevity. Drs Giovanni Scapagnini and Giani Pes joined me for a symposium in an enchanting coastal village called Porto Cello. The symposium was called Longeva Fest (Longevity Festival) and featured a short documentary about older people in Okinawa. The film highlights the importance of social support and strong community bonds among older Okinawans and was well received by the local attendants. The festival itself was very well attended and the highlights were covered by a local news crew. Over five million persons viewed the highlights on national television throughout Italy.
As mentioned in the previous blog and newsletter, dietary habits are thought to play an important role in the longevity of Sardinians. Their traditional diet, a local version of the “Mediterranean diet,” is rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, olive oil, fish, locally produced cheeses from goat and sheep milk and lean meats, such as pork. Sardinians also consume a combination of foods that are low in caloric density but high in nutrient density, a close-to-ideal diet for healthy aging and longevity. This type of diet, particularly in combination with high physical activity diet has been linked to a reduced risk for age-related diseases such as cardio-metabolic diseases and cancer.
I was impressed during my visit by the amount of locally sourced ingredients and the high quality of their meals, and I was lucky enough to have had the opportunity to personally sample the local cuisine on a trip to the village of Nuoro. I spent the afternoon making pasta by hand in the traditional way and enjoyed a large meal with a variety of pasta and other locally sourced vegetables and fruits. Of course, the meal was accompanied by plenty of locally produced olives and olive oils. The meal was also topped off with homemade red wines. Aperitifs consisted of homemade herbal liquors. The lovely, homemade meal aside what struck me most was the cacophony of jovial talking and laughter shared between the members of the large extended family which had welcomed me into their home.
A word about Nuoro. This small village gained a minor amount of fame in the 1990`s because it was where the Belgium demographer, Michel Poulain, discovered an unusually high number of male centenarians (most centenarians around the world are female). He then took out a blue inked pen and circled the village on a map of Sardinia and called it a “Blue Zone”. Much later, after a preliminary visit to Okinawa to interview Dr. Suzuki and I, Dan Buettner, a writer from National Geographic, popularized the term “Blue Zone” in a series of articles and books. One must, however, be careful to differentiate the science from the journalism. More on this in a later newsletter.
Reflecting upon my above experience, as alluded to in an earlier blog and newsletter, a key component of Sardinia’s Blue Zone seems to be the strong sense of community that prevails across the island. Social bonds, support systems for elderly people, and a strong sense of belonging, seem to contribute significantly to the overall health and longevity of its residents. Sardinians maintain close relationships with their families and neighbors, often sharing meals and traditions, festivals, religious gatherings, and more. As mentioned above, I was fortunate to be able to personally experience this phenomenon. Research in social gerontology has shown that social cohesion fosters emotional well-being and reduces stress, factors that may also be contributing to the exceptional longevity of Sardinians.
Sardinia’s Blue Zone is a testament to the remarkable potential of human longevity when certain lifestyle factors align. Centenarians, exceptional male life expectancy, a nutrient-rich diet, an active lifestyle, shepherding traditions, and strong community bonds all appear to converge to create an environment conducive to a long and healthy life. As the world continues to explore the secrets of the Blue Zones, Sardinia’s example serves as a life lesson for us all, encouraging us to embrace these principles not only for our own personal health and longevity but also for the health and betterment of our families and communities.
