Blue Zones

Blue Zones are geographic regions identified by researchers Dan Buettner, Gianni Pes, and Michel Poulain as having unusually high concentrations of individuals who live to age 100 or beyond in good health. The five most widely cited Blue Zones are Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), Nicoya (Costa Rica), Ikaria (Greece), and Loma Linda, California (a Seventh-day Adventist community in the United States).

Although each region has distinct cultural and dietary traditions, researchers have identified shared lifestyle characteristics — often summarized as the “Power 9” — including a predominantly plant-based diet rich in legumes, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts; moderate caloric intake; regular low-intensity physical activity; strong social and family connections; a sense of purpose; stress-reduction practices; and moderate alcohol consumption in some regions.

Blue Zones research has informed dietary and public health frameworks aimed at promoting longevity and healthspan, though methodological critiques have been raised regarding demographic verification and record-keeping in some of the identified populations.