| Certain areas of the world are known as blue zones. These are places where people tend to live the longest. Currently there are five of these zones, which are located in specific regions of Greece, Italy, Central America, California and Japan. Researchers have discovered that more people in these areas live to be 100, or beyond the age of 90, than anywhere else. They have also found that cancer and heart disease occur less often in blue zones. Why these zones are so beneficial to life has also been studied. It seems that people in these places put family before any other concern, such as work or money. There are fewer smokers and people tend to consume less meat. Physical activity is part of daily life, and people of all ages meet and communicate with one another. |