“Blue Zones” is the name given to a handful of regions where people appear to live unusually long lives: Okinawa in Japan, Sardinia in Italy, Nicoya in Costa Rica, Ikaria in Greece and the Seventh-day Adventist community in Loma Linda, California.
What these communities have in common
Researcher Dan Buettner and colleagues identified shared patterns, often summarised as the “Power 9”:
- Natural movement woven into daily life — walking, gardening, manual work — rather than gym sessions
- Purpose — a reason to get up in the morning
- Routines that reduce stress, such as rest, prayer or social time
- Eating until about 80% full
- Plant-heavy diets, rich in beans and vegetables, with little meat
- Moderate alcohol in some regions (a point now debated, see below)
- Belonging to a faith or community
- Family first — close ties across generations
- Social circles that support healthy behaviour
The debate
Some researchers have questioned the data behind Blue Zones, pointing to poor birth records and the possibility that some age claims are exaggerated. Recent evidence has also shifted views on alcohol: newer analyses suggest earlier findings of benefit from moderate drinking were likely flawed, and major health bodies no longer recommend drinking for health.
What holds up
Even setting the debate aside, the core habits line up with strong evidence from large studies elsewhere: regular movement, plant-rich diets, not smoking, healthy weight, good sleep, and strong social connection are consistently linked with longer, healthier lives.
Taking it home
You don’t need to move to Sardinia. Walk more as part of your day, put beans on the menu, eat with others, keep friendships active, and find something that gives you purpose. These habits are unglamorous — and that may be exactly why they work.