Latest news with #BlueZonesProject
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The 6 Best Healthy Habits to Help You Live Longer
Key Points Long-lived Blue Zone residents focus on daily movement, plant-rich diets and social ties. Genetics play a small role in lifespan; lifestyle and environment make the biggest impact. Simple habits like cooking at home, limiting sugar and prioritizing sleep can boost longevity. While the Mediterranean diet tends to get most of the glory in the health landscape—as a way of life that's ideal to support heart health and as a terrific option for individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes—it's not the only lifestyle that can help boost longevity. There are people from a handful of communities across the globe who live just as long, says Dan Buettner, the author of The Blue Zones American Kitchen. As the founder of the Blue Zones project in 2000, he pulled together medical researchers, anthropologists, demographers and epidemiologists to help distill data from the world's longest-lived people to discover their secrets, Buettner tells EatingWell. The Blue Zones team has built upon those conclusions using evidence-based data for the past 20 years to land on several lifestyle factors that play into longevity. It's not just about genetics, Buettner adds, citing the 1996 Danish Twin Study published in Human Genetics, which established that only about 20% of how long a person lives is based on genetics. "This leaves the other 80% up to lifestyle and environment. So while genetics can play a role, it's important for people to focus more on what they can control or change and setting up their routine and environments," he says. What Are the Blue Zones, and How Do They Compare to the Average American Lifestyle? There are five known Blue Zones in the world, and just two of them are considered part of the Mediterranean region: Okinawa, Japan Nicoya, Costa Rica Ikaria, Greece Loma Linda, California Sardinia, Italy "In these five regions, the population overwhelmingly lives to be 100 years or older. Not only that, but these folks are living healthier—not just longer—lives," says dietitian Caroline Thomason, RD, CDCES. "While folks in the U.S. live to be much older than in previous generations, we certainly are not always in good health at the end of our days." So what do these sage folks in the Blue Zones do daily to live longer, healthier and more vibrant lives? Read on to learn more about six healthy habits that may help you live longer. 1. Don't Count Calories—Instead, Eat Until You're Mostly Satisfied Skip the detox or cleanse, and instead, try to follow "hara hachi bu" as you keep a wide variety of nutritious—and local, if possible—foods in the mix. This mindset is a key factor in Okinawa, where this 2,500-year-old Confucian mantra reminds locals to enjoy meals and snacks until their stomachs are 80% full, rather than counting calories or crash dieting. "Almost all of the foods consumed by centenarians in the Blue Zones grow within a 10-mile radius of their homes," Buettner says, but any whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, fruits and vegetables will serve your health well. According to a review and new analysis of past data, people who eat more whole grains, legumes, fish, fruits, vegetables and nuts—while cutting back on red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened drinks and refined grains—starting at age 20 may add more than 10 years to their life expectancy. Of course we can't control all health outcomes, and healthy eating isn't a cure-all, but even if a person started these strategies at 60, the data suggest they might expect to add about 8½ years to their life. Consider frozen, canned or fermented foods if your fresh faves aren't accessible. And if you're not sure where to start, Margaret Fruhbauer, D.O., a board-certified internal medicine physician, suggests outsourcing, asking for help and tapping tools that make healthy eating easier, such as local food access organizations or a dietitian affiliated with a health provider's office. "There are many meal delivery services that focus on healthy eating. Many of my patients have found that using a slow cooker, Instant Pot or air fryer can make meal prep easier," she says. Try to make it a team effort: "Incorporating the family into decisions about meal planning and food prep can help." 2. Limit Added Sugars Eating less ultra-processed food will likely mean you'll naturally consume fewer grams of added sugars. Buettner confirms that people in the Blue Zones eat sugar intentionally, not by habit or accident. "They consume about the same amount of naturally occurring sugars as North Americans do, but only about a fifth as much added sugar—no more than 7 teaspoons of sugar a day," he says. American adults, on average, consume about 17 teaspoons of added sugar each day, which is more than two to three times the amount recommended. Much of this added sugar hides out in sneaky sources like sugar-sweetened drinks, yogurt, breakfast cereal and plant-based milk, to name a few. 3. Cook More at Home About 60% of Americans eat dinner out at least once each week. In contrast, people in the Blue Zones tend to view home-cooked meals as a cornerstone of daily life. While they occasionally dine out, they're known to take pride in making cooking an event. For instance, in some households, meals often come with multiple courses of family recipes made with love. When cooking more at home, you will have more control over the ingredients you use, you may naturally eat a smaller portion, and you'll score the stress-relieving benefits of creating something from scratch. Plus, research shows that compared to peers who eat out less than one meal per week, individuals who frequently eat meals prepared away from home, two or more meals per day, may have a higher risk of dying from any cause. 4. Share Food With Others Now that you've cooked your meal, you can score even more wellness gains by sharing it with others. "The world's longest-lived people chose—or were born into—social circles that supported healthy behaviors," Buettner says. "Okinawans created 'moais,' or groups of five friends that committed to each other for life. Research from the Framingham Studies shows that smoking, obesity, happiness and even loneliness are contagious too. The social networks of long-lived people have favorably shaped their health behaviors." Studies have shown that families who share meals tend to consume more fruits, vegetables and health-promoting nutrients. The quality of the nutrition isn't the only benefit; the social connections, emotional memories and even the affordability and accessibility of foods also play a big role in how eating impacts mood and well-being. 5. Incorporate Activity Into Your Daily Life "The world's longest-lived people don't pump iron, run marathons or join gyms. Instead, they live in environments that constantly nudge them into moving without thinking about it," Buettner reveals. Things like tending to the garden and keeping up with house and yard work without high-tech tools add in significant daily movement. Whether you find joy in hiking while listening to your favorite podcast, prefer to tend your vegetable garden or enjoy walking around the neighborhood to chill out after a long day, moving more has been shown to improve mood through the boost of natural "feel-good" neurotransmitters known as endorphins. Cardio, resistance training, yoga, tai chi, Pilates or any activity can bolster balance, increase strength, burn calories and reduce the risk for depression, heart disease and more, according to Fruhbauer. Your local community center may offer fun classes you could attend. "Many times people will say they don't have time to exercise," she says, but you need not commit to 60 or even 30 minutes. In fact, a mere 2-minute walk after a meal can help balance blood sugar. When possible, she says, "I encourage my patients to go for a walk on their lunch breaks or try light weight lifting while watching your favorite TV show in the morning or evening." 6. Prioritize Sleep and Stress-Relief Chronic sleep deprivation can increase everything from pain related to migraines and fibromyalgia to risk for heart disease and cancer, Fruhbauer explains. Buettner adds that a constant or frequent barrage of stressors (ahem, constant phone pings and frightening or tension-filled news updates) can trigger chronic inflammation, which is associated with every major age-related disease. According to Buettner, many people in the long-lived Blue Zone communities have common routines that help shed stress, such as taking a few moments to remember their ancestors, praying, taking naps and gathering for happy hours. Many of these involve some aspect of social community, which can amplify the benefits. Fruhbauer suggests scheduling time for self-care, just like you might coordinate an oil change or haircut in advance. She believes that creating a commitment three days per week for even 15 minutes can make an impact over time. Walking, meditation and breathing are science-backed and free ways to reduce stress and also promote sounder sleep. Taking a break from electronic devices 30 to 60 minutes before snooze time, eating more sleep-supporting foods and following bedroom design tips can all make a big difference in your rest success. Our Expert Take The Blue Zones are five regions around the world that are home to the most centenarians, or people who live to age 100 or older. Those who live the longest and strongest usually live in environments that nudge them daily to move, eat nutritious foods (mostly plants) and focus on sleep and stress management. While the Blue Zones environment is often set up so that the healthy choice is the easy choice, you don't need to rely on sheer willpower to make these healthy changes for longevity, Buettner says. Instead, try to sprinkle in numerous small changes to your daily routine and environment to promote well-being, and surround yourself with like-minded friends who appreciate joyful movement. Seek out methods of self-care that are easy to slide into your daily routine, and try tweaks for better sleep in one week. "As you continue to make these small changes over time, you will curate an environment that promotes your health and well-being," Buettner concludes. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Blue Zones Project Citywide Kick-Off Event in Banning
BANNING, Calif., June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Zones Project invites the community to their free Kickoff this Saturday, June 7th at the Banning Repplier Park Aquatic Center from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. This free celebration marks the public launch of Blue Zones Project in Banning, the exciting initiative working to transform the city into a place where healthy choices are easy. Guest Speakers:Nick Buettner, Producer of the original Blue Zones expeditions to Okinawa, Japan; Costa Rica; and Ikaria, GreeceReuben Gonzales, Executive Director of Blue Zones Project Banning and Former Banning City CouncilmemberDr. Raul Ruiz, U.S. Representative for California's 25th Congressional DistrictYxstian Gutierrez, Riverside County Supervisor for the Fifth District Free fun for all ages:Have FUN with live music, entertainment, games, and giveawaysEXPLORE the Blue Zones Power 9 throughout the eventLEARN about local resources, services, and programs available in your communityENJOY free tasty and healthy bites throughout the eventCONNECT through art, music, and other free family-friendly activities RSVP and learn more: Blue Zones Project is a community-led initiative designed to help people live better, longer lives with lower rates of chronic disease by implementing permanent and semi-permanent changes to policies, systems, streets, surroundings, and social networks so it's easier for residents to eat wisely, move naturally, and connect more with others as they move throughout their day. Blue Zones Project Banning is led by Executive Director Reuben Gonzales, who will lead the rollout and implementation of the Project in the region. Gonzales is a Banning native, community leader, and entrepreneur. He previously served as the Executive Director of the Banning Chamber of Commerce from 2021 to 2024, where he led business development initiatives and community engagement. He was also a Banning City Councilmember in 2022 and 2023, contributing to local governance and policymaking. Learn more about Gonzales and his full-time team: To learn more about Blue Zones Project Banning visit About Blue Zones in Riverside CountyBlue Zones Project® is brought to Riverside County by Blue Zones and leading organizations Riverside University Health System - Public Health, Inland Empire Health Plan Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Molina Healthcare, and Eisenhower Health. In collaboration with the County of Riverside and the Cities of Riverside, Banning, Palm Springs, and Coachella, this innovative partnership brings together private and public organizations under a shared vision to support, build, and measurably improve community well-being across the County. Blue Zones Projects have launched in Riverside, Banning, Coachella, and Palm Springs, while Mead Valley begins a policy-focused Blue Zones Activate. Over five years, local leadership and the local Blue Zones Project teams will implement the Blue Zones Life Radius® model to make healthy choices easier throughout the region through permanent and semi-permanent changes to the built environment, food environment, public policies, and social networks. About Blue Zones ProjectBlue Zones Project is a community-led well-being improvement initiative designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent changes to a city's environment, policy, and social networks. Blue Zones Project is based on research by Dan Buettner, a National Geographic Fellow and New York Times best-selling author who identified five cultures of the world—or blue zones —with the highest concentration of people living to 100 years or older. Blue Zones Project incorporates Buettner's findings and works with cities to implement policies and programs that will move a community toward optimal health and well-being. Blue Zones launched the first pilot community in 2009 in Albert Lea, MN with groundbreaking results. Directly and also in partnership with Sharecare, the model has since been applied to more than 80 communities in the United States. Participating communities have experienced double-digit drops in obesity and tobacco use and have saved millions of dollars in healthcare costs. For more information, visit CONTACTS:Ashley Radkeashley@ Naomi Imatome-Yunnaomi@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Blue Zones
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
IEHP Mission Conference highlights community achievements in compassionate, quality care
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., May 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Inland Empire Health Plan's (IEHP) annual Mission Conference on May 9 recognized community initiatives, physicians, organizations and individuals committed to providing high-quality care in the region. Now in its fifth year, the conference welcomed hundreds to the health plan's Rancho Cucamonga headquarters to hear inspiring stories from communities impacted by compassionate care leaders. "Our goal for the Mission Conference is to share our strengths and insights so that we can all better serve our communities in the Inland Empire," said IEHP Chief Executive Officer Jarrod McNaughton. "This year's theme, 'Our Collective Call to Community,' reminds us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We are stronger when we partner together in the pursuit of a shared vision." Highlights included a conversation about the IEHP Foundation and the Riverside Blue Zones Project with Foundation Chief Executive Officer Greg Bradbard, Executive Director of the Riverside Blue Zones Project Erin Edwards, Executive Director of the Banning Blue Zones Project Rueben Gonzales and Executive Director of the Coachella Blue Zones Project Angela Zepeda. The initiative aims to advance population health, economic vitality and well-being within targeted communities in Riverside County. "The Inland Empire has faced many health challenges over the years, but collectively we have the ability to make the healthy choice the easy choice for local residents," said Bradbard. "Through this collaborative project across the County of Riverside, we will make improvements in schools, worksites and community areas to enhance health outcomes for generations to come." The conference concluded with IEHP leadership announcing five recipients of the 2025 Living the Mission Awards, which honor community organizations and providers nominated for meeting quality care standards. Recipients were: Optimal Care Award: For the first time, two Optimal Care Awards were awarded by the health plan, selecting one provider and one hospital care organization to receive the honor. Recipients were: Corona Regional Hospital Medical Center, a 259-bed facility specializing in acute hospital and rehabilitation care. Dr. Sushil Anand, co-founder of American Pediatrics and a board-certified pediatrician, with offices in Eastvale, Corona and Upland. Vibrant Health Award: Cedar House Life Change Center, a Bloomington-based residential treatment program for individuals battling addiction. Creativity & Innovation Award: Renewing Hope Family Counseling Center, Inc., which offers mental health and therapeutic support and treatment services for all ages. Inspire Award: Dr. Pardis Amirhoushmand, a board-certified clinical psychologist with more than 25 years of experience, and her Ontario practice, The Autism Center. For additional highlights of the 2025 Mission Conference, go to or follow IEHP on social media. About IEHP With a mission to heal and inspire the human spirit, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is one of the top 10 largest Medicaid health plans, the largest not-for-profit Medicare-Medicaid public health plan in the country, and for the fourth year in a row, certified as A Great Place To Work®. Founded in 1996, IEHP supports more than 1.5 million Riverside and San Bernardino County residents enrolled in Medicaid or IEHP DualChoice (those with both Medi-Cal and Medicare). As of 2024, IEHP also offers Covered California plans, further ensuring health care access for even more IE residents. Today, IEHP has a robust network of quality doctors throughout our two counties and nearly 4,000 team members who are fully committed to the vision: We will not rest until our communities enjoy optimal care and vibrant health. To learn more, go to View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Blue Zones Project Riverside Kick-Off Festival
Celebrating Community, Connection, and Well-Being RIVERSIDE, Calif., May 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Zones Project Riverside invites the entire community to a one-of-a-kind well-being event on Saturday, May 17 from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Riverside Municipal Airport. This free family-friendly festival marks the public launch of Blue Zones Project Riverside, the exciting initiative working to transform the city into a place where healthy choices are easy and accessible for everyone. Guest Speakers: Dan Buettner Jr., Blue Zones EVP and Chief Development Officer Patricia Lock Dawson, Mayor of Riverside Steven Robillard, Riverside Councilmember for Ward 3 Erin Edwards, Executive Director of Blue Zones Project Riverside and former Riverside Councilwoman Ward 1 Leimamo Taylor, Owner of Riverside Airport Café, the first Blue Zones Approved restaurant in Riverside Kickoff Activities: AIRPLANE SPOTTING for kids of all ages SALSA DANCING by Tierra Collective MARIACHI PERFORMANCE by Riverside Arts Academy Mariachi Juvenil de Riverside BALLET FOLKLORICO de Chemawa performance COMMUNITY YOGA by Ms. Maggie Cosner TAEKWONDO DEMO by Aguila Taekwondo Association FAMILY ZUMBA by Riverside Community Health Foundation OUTDOOR STORYTIME by the Riverside Public Library COOKING DEMOS & FOOD SAMPLES MEET the Blue Zones Project team and community partners FOOD VENDORS and much more! To RSVP, volunteer, or learn more: Blue Zones Project Riverside Kickoff Festival Tickets, Sat, May 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite Blue Zones Project is a community-led initiative designed to help people live better, longer lives with lower rates of chronic disease by implementing permanent and semi-permanent changes to policies, systems, streets, surroundings, and social networks so it's easier for residents to eat wisely, move naturally, and connect more with others as they move throughout their day. Blue Zones Project Riverside is led by Executive Director Erin Edwards, who is leading the rollout and implementation of the Project. Edwards, the former Riverside Councilwoman of Ward 1, is a Riverside resident and champion and brings nearly two decades of professional experience to the role. As Councilwoman, Erin represented 45,000 residents; created Riverside's 6-pillar Homelessness Action Plan; sparked the Riverside Nonprofit Resilience Fund and Affordable Housing Trust Fund; and championed Riverside's Community Engagement Policy, Street Outreach Nurse program, Wildlands public safety teams, and Parks & Neighborhood Specialists program. Erin also served as Chair of the Riverside City Council's Housing & Homelessness Committee; on the Governing Board of Riverside County's Continuum of Care; and two terms as Riverside's Mayor Pro Tempore. Prior to her role as a Riverside Councilmember, Erin served with The Equality Fund, the United Way, and the Northside Anti-Hunger Network, as well as two terms with AmeriCorps. Learn more about Edwards and her full-time team: To learn more about Blue Zones Project Riverside visit About Blue Zones in Riverside CountyBlue Zones Project® is brought to Riverside County by Blue Zones and leading organizations Riverside University Health System - Public Health, Inland Empire Health Plan Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Molina Healthcare, and Eisenhower Health. In collaboration with the County of Riverside and the Cities of Riverside, Banning, Palm Springs, and Coachella, this innovative partnership brings together private and public organizations under a shared vision to support, build, and measurably improve community well-being across the County. Blue Zones Projects have launched in Riverside, Banning, Coachella, and Palm Springs, while Mead Valley begins a policy-focused Blue Zones Activate. Over five years, local leadership and the local Blue Zones Project teams will implement the Blue Zones Life Radius® model to make healthy choices easier throughout the region through permanent and semi-permanent changes to the built environment, food environment, public policies, and social networks. About Blue Zones ProjectBlue Zones Project is a community-led well-being improvement initiative designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent changes to a city's environment, policy, and social networks. Blue Zones Project is based on research by Dan Buettner, a National Geographic Fellow and New York Times best-selling author who identified five cultures of the world—or blue zones —with the highest concentration of people living to 100 years or older. Blue Zones Project incorporates Buettner's findings and works with cities to implement policies and programs that will move a community toward optimal health and well-being. Blue Zones launched the first pilot community in 2009 in Albert Lea, MN with groundbreaking results. Directly and also in partnership with Sharecare, the model has since been applied to more than 75 communities in the United States. Participating communities have experienced double-digit drops in obesity and tobacco use and have saved millions of dollars in healthcare costs. For more information, visit Contact:Erin EdwardsBlue Zones Project Riverside, Executive Directorerinedwards@ Naomi Imatome-Yunnaomi@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Blue Zones Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Axios
29-04-2025
- Health
- Axios
Blue Zones photographer talks healthy lifestyle challenges
We all want to know the secret to living a longer, healthier life, but actually adopting a better lifestyle comes with its own challenges. State of play: David McLain, the photographer behind the global health movement the Blue Zones Project, is speaking at the Civic Center on Thursday evening. The big picture: Over the past two decades, National Geographic journalist Dan Buettner has identified five communities with the longest-living people. He took lessons learned from centenarians (people older than 100) there and established the "Blue Zone" model for longevity, which focuses on community change — like creating walkable neighborhoods and easy access to fresh vegetables — instead of individual behavioral change. These centenarians and their lifestyles were photographed by McLain and published in National Geographic in 2005 — catapulting the Blue Zones lifestyle worldwide, including with a Netflix series and even a five-year initiative in Iowa. Flashback: In 2011, then-Gov. Terry Branstad announced his goal of making Iowa the healthiest state in the U.S. through a partnership among the Blue Zones Project, Healthways, and Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which invested $25 million into the project. By providing health experts for selected Blue Zones communities, Branstad said the state could save $16 billion in health care costs over five years and improve Iowa's Gallup Well Being Index ranking, which was No. 16 in 2011. But by 2016, Iowa had fallen short of that goal and had slipped to No. 19 in the ranking. By then, Wellmark's contract had ended, including its funding for the program, and most communities had dropped the initiative. Between the lines: In 2021, Iowa ranked No. 30. We chatted with McLain about why states like Iowa struggled to become Blue Zones and the challenges of healthy living in a post-pandemic world. What makes it difficult for some places, like Iowa, to incorporate and execute the Blue Zones? McLain:"It is very important to recognize the importance of incremental, smaller change. We're so unhealthy that moving the needle even a little actually does have a significant impact." "There's a reason America's so unhealthy, and fighting that is a huge lift. Maybe he just overpromised a little, or maybe you have to overpromise a little to move things along." What is something you learned from documenting these centenarians that people have not read or watched in the Blue Zones documentary? McLain: "We tend to silo things in America, like, 'Oh, I'm going to change my diet.'" "But food — the Blue Zones — it never gets disconnected from having a garden, which gives you exercise and gives you healthy food, and then it's never, usually, cooked alone, so you're cooking with other people, and you're visiting and you're chatting and you're laughing. So you're never eating alone in front of your iPhone." Did you expect the Blue Zones concept to become so popular? McLain: "No, I didn't. In retrospect, it's obvious, right? Who doesn't want to know how to live a longer, healthier life?" "I always viewed my job for that story visually is to make old people aspirational. Like in Asian cultures, elder [respect] is a very real thing. It's just the way the culture is. America is like the opposite of that. Old people are invisible." The other side: There have been questions about whether Blue Zone designations are accurate or based on poor record-keeping in communities around the world.
