Latest news with #BlueZones
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Only eat this food twice a week to 'help you live to 100'
Research based on the world's longest living people found that eating less of this food could have some lasting health benefits. A longevity expert has urged people to only eat a certain food twice a week as a way to help them 'live to 100'. This recommendation comes based on the diets of the world 's longest living people, who reside in what are known as Blue Zones. We are all well aware of the important role diet has on our health and wellbeing. Certain foods are known to raise the risk of issues such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even cancer, while others can have a protective effect. Research has also suggested that what we eat can have an impact on our life expectancy. This was reflected in a study of the world's Blue Zones, which have the highest proportion of centenarians and lowest rates of chronic disease in the world. These zones are found in various parts of the globe including Sardinia in Italy, Okinawa in Japan, and Nicoya in Costa Rica. Although the specific meals consumed in these areas were not the same, people in these regions were found to eat more plant-based whole foods and fewer processed foods. On the Blue Zones website, its founder Dan Buettner explained more. He said: 'It starts with food choices. Most of the Blue Zones residents I've come to know have easy access to locally sourced fruits and vegetables - largely pesticide-free and organically raised. If not growing these food items in their own gardens, they have found places where they can purchase them, and more affordably than processed alternatives. 'They have incorporated certain nutritious foods into their daily or weekly meals - foods that often are not even found on the shelves of convenience stores or on the menus of fast-food restaurants across the country.' As part of his findings, from more than 150 dietary studies, it was discovered that many people in these parts of the world are eating a lot less meat than you might think. Based on this, Dan encouraged people to eat meat 'no more than twice a week'. He continued: 'Eat meat twice a week or even less in servings sized no more than two ounces cooked. 'Favour true free-range chicken and family-farmed pork or lamb instead of meats raised industrially. Avoid processed meats like hot dogs, luncheon meats, or sausages.' He explained that in 'most' Blue Zones diets people ate small amounts of pork, chicken, or lamb. 'Averaging out meat consumption over all blue zones, we found that people were eating small amounts of meat, about two ounces or less at a time, about five times per month,' he said. The type of meat people in these areas consume is also thought to be of good quality, coming from free-roaming animals. He added: 'These traditional husbandry practices likely produce meat with higher levels of healthy omega-3 fatty acids than the rich meat of grain-fed animals.' However, Dan acknowledged that 'we're not sure if people lived longer because they ate a little bit of meat as part of the Blue Zones diet or if they thrived despite it'. He said: 'There are so many healthy practices blue zones people engaged in, they may have been able to get away with a little meat now and then because its deleterious effect was counterbalanced by other food and lifestyle choices.' Outside of Blue Zones research, various studies have pointed to the health risks of eating too much red and processed meats. The latter is particularly bad for us, shown to raise blood pressure, heart disease risk and even the chances of developing cancer. Processed meats include things like sausages, sliced ham, bacon, and hot dogs, which are prevalent in a typical Western diet. So even if cutting down your overall meat intake to just twice a week seems too much, you could consider reducing the amount of processed meat you eat for your health. Dan shared some tips on how to lower your meat consumption: Learn what two ounces of meat cooked looks like: Chicken—about half of a chicken breast fillet or the meat (not skin) of a chicken leg; pork or lamb—a chop or slice the size of a deck of cards before cooking. Avoid bringing beef, hot dogs, luncheon meats, sausages, or other processed meats into your house as these are not part of the Blue Zones diet Find plant-based substitutes for the meat Americans are used to having at the centre of a meal. Try lightly sautéed tofu, drizzled with olive oil; tempeh, another soy product; or black bean or chickpea cakes. Designate two days a week when you eat meat or other animal-derived food—and enjoy it only on those days. Since restaurant meat portions are almost always four ounces or more, split meat entrées [mains] with another person or ask ahead of time for a container to take half the meat portion home for later Other diet recommendations based on the Blue Zones included eating more plant-based foods, eating up to three ounces of fish daily, reducing your dairy intake, eating beans every day, reducing the amount of sugar you eat, and snacking on nuts.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
The underrated and wondrously wild Greek island that's been named best to visit in 2025
A gorgeous Greek island that's 'well beyond the usual tourist radar' has been named as one of the best of the country's islands to visit in 2025. According to Lonely Planet, Ikaria is one of the best Greek islands to add to your bucket list. While the island isn't a leading tourist destination, it has been globally recognised for its long-living residents. Ikaria is one of the world's five designated 'Blue Zones', places where people are much more likely to live to 100. But why is it one of 2025's best Greek islands to visit? Lonely Planet reveals: 'It takes effort to get to Ikaria, a wondrously wild island in the eastern Aegean, but those who make it this far too rewarded. 'Ruggedly mountainous, gorge-riven, thickly forested and well beyond the usual tourist radar, this island has its own look and culture.' According to Homeric legend, Dionysus, the god of wine and theatre, was born on Ikaria. At Therma, a spa village on the island, tourists can unwind in Ikaria's hot mineral springs which are thought to soothe arthritis and rheumatism The island is heavily tied to Greek myth and even earns its name from Icarus, the man who flew too close to the sun. Lonely Planet recommends hiring a car to explore the island to make your holiday 'feel like a proper adventure'. The travel guide suggests heading to Seychelles Beach, known for its 'dazzling azure waters'. A picturesque cove, Seychelles Beach has bright pebbles and is backed by rock formations. At Therma, a spa village on the island, tourists can unwind in Ikaria's hot mineral springs which are thought to soothe arthritis and rheumatism. Those looking to emulate the islanders' healthy lifestyle can head into the hills to see the giant rock houses where locals used to hide from pirate attacks. 'These stiff climbs - along with a herb-rich diet - are part of what contribute to the island's extraordinarily high number of centenarians,' reveals Lonely Planet. While Lonely Planet recommends taking a ferry from Kos to Ikaria, it can also be reached by plane from Athens. Those looking to emulate the islanders' healthy lifestyle can head into the hills to see the giant rock houses where locals used to hide from pirate attacks The travel guide suggests that tourists spend two weeks on Ikaria to let the island 'truly work its magic'. And Greece is also home to Europe's best beach, according to a new ranking. Port Glarokavos Lagoon Beach took the crown in a ranking put together by judges at European Beach Destinations. The beautiful Greek beach is located on the country's northern Kassandra Peninsula.
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Health
- Miami Herald
What's affecting our health? See the risks and cures in Miami
Health Care What's affecting our health? See the risks and cures in Miami Miami's health is always changing. Expanding access to care, Mount Sinai Medical Center is building a new hospital and emergency room in Westchester to serve the area's aging population. Meanwhile, lower childhood vaccination rates in Florida have raised worries about potential disease outbreaks, as some parents grow hesitant amid mixed messages and misinformation. Biscayne Bay struggles with pollution from stormwater, but recent pilot projects using advanced filtration technology aim to improve water quality. In Overtown, programs like Blue Zones cooking classes are promoting affordable, healthy eating and building community, showing residents simple ways to improve long-term health. A nurse double-gloves before handling and preparing doses of the measles, mumps and rubella virus vaccine at a pop-up clinic at the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD Administration Building in Carrollton, Texas, on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Liz Rymarev/The Dallas Morning News/TNS) NO. 1: WHY FEWER KIDS ARE GETTING VACCINATED IN FLORIDA — AND HOW THAT COULD AFFECT OUTBREAKS 'I have seen a growing rise in parents who are concerned.' | Published March 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante Kayla Smith, 19, left, double check the recipe as the 'Sweet and Sour' cooking team prepare their meal with help from sisters - Dynasty, 19, and Dominique Daniels, 21, right during a pilot cooking program funded by Miami Beach resident and longevity expert Dan Buettner, at the Overtown Youth Center on April 3, 2025, in Miami, Florida. By Carl Juste NO. 2: WILL THIS SOUP LEAD TO A HEALTHIER AND LONGER LIFE? SEE WHAT'S COOKING IN MIAMI They're taking tips from the world's Blue Zones. | Published April 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante An orange, floating berm used to collect garbage and debris stretches across the Little River just north of the South Florida Water Management District's flood control device near NE 82nd St and NE fourth Pl. Friday October 15, 2021. The berm also marks the end point for any water vessels heading east along the Little River. To continue along the river past this point boats would have to be lifted out of the water and carried across NE 82nd St. By Emily MIchot NO. 3: BISCAYNE BAY IS POLLUTED. MIAMI-DADE HOPES THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY WILL HELP CLEAN IT UP Three pilot projects have been installed in Miami-Dade rivers and canals. | Published April 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Courtney Heath Mount Sinai Medical Center, which has its main hospital in Miami Beach, is opening a new emergency center in Westchester. NO. 4: A MIAMI BEACH HOSPITAL IS EXPANDING ACROSS THE BAY. WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HEALTH CENTER There will be an ER and more. | Published April 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The key to a long life is avoiding the ‘poisonous 5 P's,' says one of the world's top anti-aging experts
Long before Bryan Johnson became famous for his extreme biohacking—undergoing countless tests, following strict eating habits, and taking dozens of supplements in the name of living forever—Valter Longo was obsessed with longevity. In a profile of the scientist in the New York Times, Longo, a professor of gerontology and director of the USC Longevity Institute in California, says he wants to live 120 to 130 healthy years. His drive for longevity aligns with a growing interest in extending health span, the number of years lived free of disease, as opposed to life span—which refers to the number of years lived. The Italian lifestyle has long been considered the gold standard for longevity, with the focus on the Mediterranean diet, walkability, and community. Sardinia, Italy, is one of the five original Blue Zones—regions where people live the longest, healthiest lives. Lessons from the residents of Sardinia were the focus of one of the episodes of Dan Buettner's Netflix documentary Living to 100. Longo, who was born and raised in Italy, points out that today, 'almost nobody in Italy eats the Mediterranean diet.' Italy's youth are facing obesity because of what Longo calls the 'poisonous five P's—pizza, pasta, protein, potatoes, and pane (or bread),' Jason Horowitz writes in the NYT. Longo fears Italians will live long but not healthfully if this pattern continues to dominate the culture. How to reverse it? Longo, author of The Longevity Diet, is a proponent of the original Mediterranean diet, which consists of plant-based foods and nuts. He has his own recipes for longevity on his website, which include sweet and sour sardines, stuffed artichokes, cabbage patties, and onions in walnut sauce. He also champions another relatively new concept in the space—faux fasting, or a fasting-mimicking diet. This refers to limiting food intake, which is supposed to help the body reap the benefits of fasting without fully abstaining from food. According to Longo's website, the protocol includes a diet low in carbohydrates and protein and high in fatty acids. 'The Fasting Mimicking Diet patented recipe allows your body to remain in a fasting like mode, which triggers a set of protectionist measures that the body has developed during natural selection,' his site reads. 'This allows the body to optimize its performance, rejuvenate its cells, and thrive under demanding circumstances.' Research has found both benefits and drawbacks to intermittent fasting, but its continued popularity demonstrates the lengths people will go to in the hope of extending their lives. A version of this story was originally published on on November 20, 2024. For more on the longevity movement: Wealthy men are spending millions to lower their biological ages and live longer. These women are lowering their biological age with cheaper solutions Will you live to 150? Here's what 5 geneticists and aging researchers say Move over, pina coladas: Get Botox and stem cells on this luxury wellness cruise The longevity secrets of Singapore, the 6th blue zone city where people are living the longest, happiest lives This story was originally featured on
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The key to a long life is avoiding the ‘poisonous 5 P's,' says one of the world's top anti-aging experts
Long before Bryan Johnson became famous for his extreme biohacking—undergoing countless tests, following strict eating habits, and taking dozens of supplements in the name of living forever—Valter Longo was obsessed with longevity. In a profile of the scientist in the New York Times, Longo, a professor of gerontology and director of the USC Longevity Institute in California, says he wants to live 120 to 130 healthy years. His drive for longevity aligns with a growing interest in extending health span, the number of years lived free of disease, as opposed to life span—which refers to the number of years lived. The Italian lifestyle has long been considered the gold standard for longevity, with the focus on the Mediterranean diet, walkability, and community. Sardinia, Italy, is one of the five original Blue Zones—regions where people live the longest, healthiest lives. Lessons from the residents of Sardinia were the focus of one of the episodes of Dan Buettner's Netflix documentary Living to 100. Longo, who was born and raised in Italy, points out that today, 'almost nobody in Italy eats the Mediterranean diet.' Italy's youth are facing obesity because of what Longo calls the 'poisonous five P's—pizza, pasta, protein, potatoes, and pane (or bread),' Jason Horowitz writes in the NYT. Longo fears Italians will live long but not healthfully if this pattern continues to dominate the culture. How to reverse it? Longo, author of The Longevity Diet, is a proponent of the original Mediterranean diet, which consists of plant-based foods and nuts. He has his own recipes for longevity on his website, which include sweet and sour sardines, stuffed artichokes, cabbage patties, and onions in walnut sauce. He also champions another relatively new concept in the space—faux fasting, or a fasting-mimicking diet. This refers to limiting food intake, which is supposed to help the body reap the benefits of fasting without fully abstaining from food. According to Longo's website, the protocol includes a diet low in carbohydrates and protein and high in fatty acids. 'The Fasting Mimicking Diet patented recipe allows your body to remain in a fasting like mode, which triggers a set of protectionist measures that the body has developed during natural selection,' his site reads. 'This allows the body to optimize its performance, rejuvenate its cells, and thrive under demanding circumstances.' Research has found both benefits and drawbacks to intermittent fasting, but its continued popularity demonstrates the lengths people will go to in the hope of extending their lives. A version of this story was originally published on on November 20, 2024. For more on the longevity movement: Wealthy men are spending millions to lower their biological ages and live longer. These women are lowering their biological age with cheaper solutions Will you live to 150? Here's what 5 geneticists and aging researchers say Move over, pina coladas: Get Botox and stem cells on this luxury wellness cruise The longevity secrets of Singapore, the 6th blue zone city where people are living the longest, happiest lives This story was originally featured on
