How to Live the Longest

Around the world there are several communities that have well above average longevity. A journalist has recently researched into what the people within the communities with large populations of over 90’s believe is the secret to a long life.

The people on the Japanese island of Okinawa are one of the worlds longest lived. They eat a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables but additionally they have a culture in which people only eat until they are 80% full.

In Ikaria, a Greek island is the largest per capita population of over 90 year olds any where in the world. The local people on Ikaria drink a thick mountain herbal tea several times a day. The drink contains a mixture of herbs such as purple sage, spleenwort, rosemary and wild mint. They also eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and olive oil and practically no processed foods.

This must help a lot but another reason is due to the active lifestyle of all the island’s inhabitants because there is very little in the way of transportation due to the mountainous landscape.

The Seventh Day Adventists, a California a community in Loma Linda are expected to outlive their fellow citizens by 5 to 10 years. Because they are vegetarian and do not smoke or drink, this is believed to be the reason. Additionally the fact they the community experience less stress may also be contribute.

In Pakistan the people living in the Hunza Valley have a very high chance of living past 90. Their diet too is rich in fruit, grain and vegetables. However they also eat a lot of plums, peaches, apricots and cherries in higher amounts than usual. Also, they tend to eat much of their food raw.

In the southern part of Ecuador in the Vilcambamba region, a higher percentage of people are reaching into their 100’s and that too in a great state of health. This may be due to them drinking a lot of natural mineral water that is exceptionally pure.

Telegraph