In my last blog I mentioned individuals who lived in designated BlueZones, who tended to have a high life expectancy, with many reaching over 100 years of age.
Not only that, but heart disease and many of the chronic diseases, which are the scourge of the west, do not exist in any significant numbers.
Exercise plays a very important part in the lifestyle.
In Sardinia, the terrain is rough and steep with shepherds having to climb hills on a daily basis.
This is carried on till later life, and seems to account for improved circulatory system, lower cholesterol and supple joints.
The term Blue Zone itself, means nothing more than a blue ring of marker pen around each of the areas which identified as being parts of Greece, Sardinia, Costa Rica and Okinawa in Japan.
Although not eating identical diets, there are some similarities.
The diet is largely plant based, although not necessarily totally vegetarian.
Meat is eaten, but only a little on certain days, such as celebrations or special meals.
Fasting can be used which limits food to perhaps one meal a day.
Food is eaten slowly and appreciated rather than gulped down quickly, paying little or no attention to flavour or texture.
Eating a meal is often a shared experience with family or friends, which makes for a positive, social interaction with others.
Food is eaten until satisfied, so no overeating.
Protein is derived from nuts, soya, milk and cheese, (goat and sheep). Fish is popular and is also a source of Omega fats. Fibre is found in the vegetables, carbs in the grain and cereals and vitamins in fruit and vegetables.
Alcohol is drunk in moderation, with the preference being red wine.
However, for those living in the Mediterranean areas, olive oil has to be the star of the show, being one of the ingredients which can be associated with their extremely good health.
In Sardinia, olives are grown in abundance and have many health benefits. It is largely used for cooking and sprinkling onto finished dishes and salads.
Olives should be pure and not contaminated by chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
They are collected and the oil removed by pressing.
Olives are mainly grown on a commercial basis, although smaller family olive groves still exist. The oil is bottled and sent out for retail purposes.
As it has become more widely acknowledged that olive oil has some excellent properties, it is now becoming an even more prized commodity.
When using olive oil, there are four levels to look for.
Regular and light olive oil. Virgin and extra virgin olive oil.
Regular olive oil is a mix of some oil which has been chemically processed and added to virgin oil.
It therefore lacks some of the positive qualities of non processed oil, but is used widely in cooking, and is less expensive than the others.
Depending on how much processed oil is used, it can be known as a "light" olive oil.
Virgin olive oil is pure olive oil, but with a few flavour differences to the gold standard extra virgin olive oil, which has the most beneficial properties as extracted in the original way without any additions or processes.
Amongst the list of health benefits, extra virgin olive oil contains polyphenols and antioxidants which have properties which reduce inflammation and help prevent free radicals and protect cells.
It can be expensive to buy, as the nearer its date is to the harvesting time will have an effect on the polyphenol content, and also the price. It will have a distinctive peppery taste.
Olive oil can be used widely in cooking and it has also become popular to drink a tablespoonful in order to benefit from the amazing boost it can give to general health.
There is another thread which runs through the Blue Zone areas.
They do not rush through life, but take it at a leisurely pace which results in low stress levels.
They value company and interaction from friends and family. The younger generation look after the older generation and the older generation help to look after children.
There is a tight family bond which means everyone is included in looking after each other, and also the wider community.
The benefits speak for themselves as health is better, they seem more content and appreciate each other and enjoy life.
What a lot we could learn from them.
The basis of the Blue Zones is almost the antithesis of our western way of life as we rush around in a pointless fashion, with mounting stress levels and deteriorating mental health.
We have made gains for sure. We have more money, more material things, we can achieve more and travel more, but we have lost something along the way.
We must question if it was all worth it?
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