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Blue zones are places around the world known for their centenarians – people who live to or past the age of 100. Why do humans in blue zones live longer than others? People have theorized many reasons, but I have narrowed it down to two main ones: lifestyle and genetics.

Lifestyle in the Blue Zones

There are seven areas of lifestyle that have increased these people’s life spans. These include:

1.) Healthy Diet: A focus on plant-based diets are encouraged. These diets contain Mediterranean food, olive oil, Greek coffee, etc. Moderating alcohol consumption can also affect life spans tenfold.

2.) Physical Activity: Many centenarians practice aerobic exercises. For instance, growing a garden or doing household chores. As they complete their household chores, they are unintentionally exercising.

3.) Avoiding Risky Substances: Avoidance of smoking promotes longevity. Centenarian studies have also shown that they do not take part in polypharmacy (using 2+ drugs to treat ailments).

4.) Managing Stress: Promoting good mental health through a good sleep cycle and participation in leisure activities leads to better mental health and less stress.

5.) Restorative Sleep: Centenarians use a diurnal sleep schedule – they sleep when the sun sets and rise when the sun rises. This sleep cycle brings up their mood and increases their mental health.

6.) Positive Relationships: These healthy, happy relationships with the people around you make you more inclined to have a better mental health.

7.) Personal Motivation: Personal motivation is the main reason centenarians are able to constantly follow the other six pillars without a break.

Centenarians have been using these seven pillars to live longer unknowingly. If citizens of non-blue zone areas were to follow these pillars, would it add several years to their lifespan? Although these seven pillars are an important aspect of longevity, scientists are beginning to notice a different side of longevity in the blue zones: genetics.

Genetics in the Blue Zones

I came across two main genes that are directly correlated with longevity. These two genes are APOE2 and FOXO3A.

APOE2 is a gene that protects against Alzheimer’s, a disease that causes severe memory loss (dementia). Carriers of this gene are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Many centenarians are shown to have this gene, making them nearly immune to Alzheimer’s.

As humans get older, they get weaker and develop diseases. Surprisingly, centenarians are very healthy and able to perform tasks that take a lot of strength. Why is this not the case with other elderly people? Centenarians are not only shown to have the APOE2 gene, but also have the FOXO3A gene. This gene reduces age related diseases, making centenarians with this gene strong and healthy.

We are only at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding longevity in the blue zones. Part lifestyle, part genetics, there is still so much to discover about the ways of a centenarian.