People living past 100 in one tiny village share 3 daily habits

Key Points:

• National Geographic researchers have identified Bolotana, a small village in Sardinia, Italy, as a potential new "blue zone," where residents exhibit exceptionally high longevity, with 10 centenarians among 2,262 people—about 10 times the Sardinian average.
• Key lifestyle habits observed in Bolotana include regular movement through walking steep streets, a predominantly plant-based diet rich in beans, vegetables, and olive oil, and strong social connections through community activities and church attendance.
• Bolotana differs from the original Sardinian blue zone by showing stronger female longevity, possibly due to more active participation of men in household duties, reducing stress for women and fostering a socially connected community.
• The traditional diet in Bolotana emphasizes complex carbohydrates from beans and vegetables, with meat consumed sparingly, and olive oil from ancient trees potentially contributing to longevity due to its unique fatty acid profile.
• Researchers stress that Bolotana residents do not actively pursue longevity but benefit from an environment encouraging natural movement and social engagement, suggesting that lifestyle and community design play crucial roles in healthy aging.