5 Recipes & Secrets to Living a Longer Life

6/11 Previous Next

© iStock / Getty Images Plus / DaLiu

Sardinia, Italy

On the island of Sardinia, Italy, not only will you find picturesque towns, idyllic beaches and breathtaking scenery, but also you'll find an unusual amount of centenarians (people who live to be 100 or older): "nearly ten times more centenarians per capita than the U.S.", according to bluezones.com. Sardinia was actually the first identified Blue Zone, with the rare genetic M26 marker being exceptionally common among its inhabitants and linked to their increased longevity. Beyond good genes, however, Sardinians consume a mostly plant-based diet, filled with a variety of whole-grain breads, goat's milk dairy products and sheep's cheese, vegetables, fruits and moderate amounts of meat, fish and poultry.