The secrets to longevity: One man’s quest to the Blue Zones

Dan Buettner refers to them as Blue Zones — geographical locations people reside that appear to give them an advantage when it comes to living longer, active, healthier lives. Buettner has been traveling the globe in search of these locations in order to learn the secrets of longevity from the residents who live there. In his quest thus far, the writer and avid adventurer has traveled to Costa Rica, Sardinia, Okinawa and Loma Linda, California.

In profiling the residents, Buettner states he has discovered both unique and common characteristics of people who not only live much longer than most of us, but are defying the stereotype of what it means to age. They are healthy and active well into their 80s, 90s, and beyond.

What are the secrets to longevity? Buettner shares his observations at Blue Zones.

In Loma Linda, a healthy social circle was important, as well as snacking on nuts. In Okinawa, the lack of urgency about time, being likeable and turmeric stood out. In Sardinia, fava beans and drinking red wine high in polyphenols were common factors in longevity. In addition, overlapping lifestyle and behavior traits included women who felt empowered by the society they lived in, adequate daily exposure to sunshine, gardening, constant moderate physical exercise, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, keeping meat in the diet to a minimum, staying connected and actively involved with family, friends and community and living at a higher altitude. It appears that people who live in higher altitudes have lower blood pressure.

Buettner has partnered with the University of Minnesota, Allianz Life Insurance and the National Geographic Society to create the Blue Zones Compass, a program that can predict how long you might live based on your current lifestyle. To learn more about this and read the latest in Buettner’s quest to continue to discover the secrets to living a long and happy life, visit Blue Zones. To watch an ABC News video interview with Buettner, visit Searching for the Fountain of Youth.