UnEarth Magazine.

Words by Abigail Myers, Art by Holly Brown.

Okinawa, Japan, Sardinia Italy, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica, Icaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California. 

These areas are all considered Blue Zones or places where the population experiences a longer, healthier lifespan compared to the rest of the world. How is it that only five areas around the globe have seemingly solved life’s mystery of a longer lifespan? There is not just one secret answer, but rather a melding of diet, lifestyle, and individual habits. Exploring the intersection of sustainability practices and health benefits within the Blue Zones will help uncover the mystery of Blue Zones and how the rest of the world may be able to adopt certain aspects into their everyday lives. 

In a Blue Zone, a clear indication that residents prescribe to the unspoken rules of the Blue Zone diet is an absence of meat on the menu.  This is not to say they cut meat out altogether, but rather it is consumed in moderation and when consumed it is not highly processed. A Blue Zone diet tends to be more plant-based and popular ingredients are legumes, vegetables, and nuts. These dietary alternatives are not only more environmentally friendly but also better for the individual, with many benefits from improved heart and brain health to reduced mortality. The consumption of meat accounts for 60% of all greenhouse gas emissions in food production therefore a Blue Zone diet is aiding an overall reduction of emissions from the meat industry. Opting for a bean-centered dish as opposed to a meat-centered one is one way we can make positive changes in our everyday life, even if it is only occasionally. With Blue Zones containing the highest proportions of centenarians, their diet makes a case for itself. Access to typical Blue Zone ingredients isn’t always guaranteed but making. simple swaps when possible are a positive step for the environment and the individual.  

The idea of “moving naturally” is a recurring theme across all the Blue Zones. Emphasis on movement in your everyday life such as walking as a form of transportation or bending down during household chores are a few examples of the natural movements Blue Zone inhabitants are accustomed to. In the case of Sardinia, residents walk the steep roads on their commute and as a result they have been found to live longer than residents in the surrounding towns with flatter roads. Of course, this is not only beneficial to the residents, but to the environment as well. Walkable cities such as Sardinia are a case study into the benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in specific communities. From cleaner water to decreased pollution, more sustainable and environmentally conscious cities are emerging in areas that are prioritizing green forms of transportation. Due to urban sprawl, the choice to walk may not be feasible in all cities. The future of city planning should model the beneficial aspects of the Blue Zone lifestyle, but until then opting for public transportation or a bike ride is a positive way to make a difference. 

Another form of natural movement that a lot of Blue Zone residents participate in is gardening. Gardening allows individuals to cultivate their own crops which has positive impacts upon the body, including improved balance and maintained strength of the legs and hands. As a result, residents are improving their balance and maintaining strength in their legs and hands. The residents of Okinawa can garden past the age of 100 because of their increased resilience so gardening is a positive cycle for these individuals. Gardening allows for individual and community involvement and many members of the community can benefit from the fresh produce grown in gardens. Fresh produce grown locally is an ideal way to decrease one’s carbon footprint. The closer produce is grown to consumption, the less environmental impact it has because of shipping emissions or plastic packaging. It is not necessary to have a personal garden to participate in this activity. Many cities have community plots available and can be worked on individually or with other community members. Not only are Blue Zones healthier for their residents, but they also exemplify sustainable communities.  

Blue Zones have been popularized in the media with cookbooks, documentaries, and podcasts. The increased attention has allowed the rest of the world to learn from these culturally and geographically diverse communities with common dietary and activity traits. Overall, there is a lot the rest of the world can learn from the Blue Zone regions. Incorporating a few of their staple food items into meals or deciding to walk to work one day of the week are all ways to benefit the individual, community, and the environment.