- “Blue Zones” are places in the world where people live longer and healthier lives.
- People in those regions tend to have similar diets, with few processed foods or added sugars.
- Experts suggest there are health benefits to limiting foods like red meat, refined grains, and sweets.
To live a long and healthy life, it may be worth cutting back on foods like processed meat, sweets and soft drinks, evidence suggests.
These foods are limited in what are called blue zonesregions where residents tend to live longer and have fewer health problems as they age, the researchers found.
Blue Zones vary geographically and by cuisine, encompassing Greece and Italy as well as Costa Rica and Japan, but share common eating patterns. Whole plant-based foods such as leafy vegetables, fruits, beans, and grains predominate in Blue Zones.
In contrast, regional diets tend to avoid processed foods, refined grains, sweet drinks, and added sugar, and incorporate red meat and animal fats like butter sparingly, if at all.
Limiting these foods may be linked to longevity and a lower risk of chronic diseases such as
heart disease
cancer and more.
