Hi! Their traditional diet of fortified maize and beans may be the best nutritional combination for longevity the world has ever known. The Blue Zone Diet: Costa Rica's Secret to Living to 100 - Culture Trip This information is complemented by studies carried out by Costa Rican demographer Dr. Luis Rosero Bixby, which show that the mortality of inhabitants of the Nicoya Peninsula aged 90 is 10% lower than for Costa Ricans of the same age elsewhere in the country. There are other blue zones in California, Italy, Greece, and Japan. The centenarians of the Nicoya Peninsula have also captured the interest of the Institute of Social Studies in Population (Instituto de Estudios Sociales en Poblacin, IDESPO) of the National University (Universidad Nacional) of Costa Rica, which is carrying out a study on the subject this year. The daily breakfast consists of gallo pinto (rice and beans) with a basket of homemade corn tortillas and hot coffee. Wildlife is abundant. Every day, most people eat a breakfast of black beans and rice (called gallo pinto), eggs, fresh corn tortillas (with batter soaked in lime juice), with a cup of coffee. You can drive to Tamarindo in about 80 minutes from the Liberia airport (its about four hours from Costa Ricas other main airport in the capital, San Jos). In the interior, the town of Nicoya is one of Costa Ricas oldest and also has one of the countrys oldest churches the Parroquia San Blas, first built in 1544. Plantains are high in potassium, fiber, carbohydrates, vitamin B6 and vitamin C. The waters around the Nicoya Peninsula are also home to several species of fish including tuna and red snapper. One Nicoyan, a centenarian, said he knew death would eventually come for him but it is the love for his children that motivates him to keep going every day. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Thomas Ramsauer / Shutterstock. These cantons are: Carillo, Hojancha, Nicoya, Santa Cruz, and Nandoyure. The Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone, in addition to aligning with our Wellness Pura Vida strategy, are important as a driver of wellness tourism throughout the country, highlighting the importance of creating authentic travel experiences. On today's podcast, Gina does some serious myth-busting about what has kept the centenarians so well, for so long. These geographical areas are considered special, because most people live at least 90 and often over 100 years of age. The surroundings dictate ways of operating, not personal decisions. Everything You Need To Know About the Blue Zone in Costa Rica Warm, Sunny Climate. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. San Jose, Costa Rica 10104. Its also easy to eat healthy in Costa Rica, with its abundance of local foods grown in its fertile volcanic soil. In the Nicoya Peninsula, the water is particularly rich in calcium and magnesium which studies show is good for cardiovascular health and preventing cancer. The international attendees also included Dan Buettner, a reporter and researcher for National Geographic, who has been responsible for popularizing the concept of Blue Zones through the publication of various articles and best-selling books that explore the direct connection between this issue and diet, spirituality, purpose in life and physical exercise, with happiness as a cross-cutting element. Stir in two chopped plum tomatoes, half of a finely chopped onion and one . American researcher, Dan Buettner, discovered that people in these areas shared several lifestyle characteristics: They don't smoke; They eat a plant-based diet For those who want to explore the peninsula at their own pace, renting a car might be best (you can use your home countrys drivers license for a maximum of three months). The quality of Nicoyas water might be one of the reasons residents live long enough to become centenarians and almost-centenarians. Eating fewer calories appears to be one of the surest ways to add years to your life. Though Chicago is not one of those cities that uses the template outlined in the Blue Zones Project, the city could adapt to the Blue Zones principals. The occasion was also used to release the most recent study on longevity by the Institute of Social Studies in Population (Instituto de Estudios Sociales en Poblacin, IDESPO) at the National University of Costa Rica. Also, we would love to hear your thoughts on Blue Zones and what constitutes a long lifestyle. They are eye-opening and heart-tugging. O que so Zonas Azuis? The Ikarians and the Ikaria is another one of the Blue Zones, and the Costa Ricans, Nicoya, they're taking a nap. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2008-2023 Law Dissertation Writing Services. They are places where people get around by walking more than by car, they eat more plants than meat, and a diet that includes beans or grains such as corn, where the family is their number one purpose. Blue Zones Nicoya naci en 2014, una empresa 100% costarricense, que durante los ltimos 6 aos ha sido destacada por la investigacin de alimentos locales de la Zona Azul de Nicoya-Guanacaste. This is an excerpt fromBlue Zones: Lessons For Living Longer From The People Whove Lived The Longestby Dan Buettner, copyright 2008, all rights reserved. Why people in 'Blue Zones' are outliving all of us | MDLinx Making the smart choice in traditional Blue Zones is often the only choice available, not really a choice at all. This Blue Zone is in the mountains of the Nicoyan Peninsula in western Costa Rica. Blue Zones: How The World's Oldest People Make Their Money Last - Forbes Personally, I find that a combination of a healthy diet, exercise, and social contact all help lower my stress; which is crucial in a long life span. While starting the day off with rice and beans may not be an ideal breakfast for most people, the key to a healthy breakfast is one rich with protein, complex carbs, and antioxidants (minus the preservatives). howler and white face monkeys, red variegated squirrels, sloths, anteaters, raccoon-like coatis, butterflies, plus some 900 bird species including the fiery-billed aracari toucan and the rufous-tailed hummingbird. Many believe it will be through the cutting-edge innovations of regenerative medicine that the privileges of the Blue Zones can be democratized, so that anyone, anywhere, and at any time has access to the technology that allows us to replenish, replace and rejuvenate our physical bodies., What weve witnessed during 2020 are healthcare systems around the world that are reactive, bureaucratic, inefficient, and saturated. The traditional diet in the area is also notable. Everywhere you go in Costa Rica, youll hear pura vida! and soon feel the freedom to adopt the pura vida lifestyle yourself. And now, it's a well-known fact: Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula, dubbed as a "high-longevity island," is one of the world's rare blue zones - one of only five original regions, joined by Icaria (Greece), Okinawa (Japan), Lima Linda (California, USA), and Sardinia (Italy). The most popular towns to visit here are Montezuma and Santa Teresa. While the Blue Zones project Lane discusses isnt a cure for COVID-19, the principals lived by the people in those zones could increase the chance of livelihood for people of other cultures. Brand Storytelling At Sundance: Championing Excellence And Filmmakers With Purpose, Profitable ECommerce Growth For CPGs Is In Reach. Why is the Nicoya Peninsula considered a 'Blue Zone?' For just over 15 years he has been monitoring and accompanying the long-lived people that . It includes the five cantons of the Nicoya Peninsula: Hojancha, Nandayure, Carrillo, Santa Cruz and Nicoya. They are joined by 42 other centenarians in the Nicoya Peninsula, located in the 5 blue cantons: Nicoya, Santa Cruz, Hojancha, Nandayure and Carrillo (according to data from Jorge Vindas, a field researcher for the Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone Association). My fourth investigation into exactly what our Blue Zone folks eat has left this dietitian, well, intrigued. There are common factors that exist in these populations, such as good physical and mental health, a healthy traditional diet, respect for the family, deep faith, constant mobility, and a purpose in life. Dan discovered five places where residents have low rates of chronic disease and live longer than anywhere else. Nosara also has three beaches remote black sand Playa Nosara, Playa Guiones with some of Costa Ricas best surfing, and Playa Pelada for tide pools, blow holes, snorkeling, and swimming. Living Hotel partners with the Spacio spa, a five-minute walk away, which has several treatments geared to surfers. We hope you love the Blue Zone Costa Rica stays we recommend. the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica'S Blue Zone Even the cancer rates on the Nicoya Peninsula are lower than those elsewhere in the world! Enjoying good health conditions shouldn't depend on economic or technological factors, but rather on protective factors that are evident and proven in the region. Costa Rica Blue Zone: Learn the Secrets to a Long and Happy Life Old people often have too little calcium in their bodies. It is home to some of the most active, hard-working, and friendliest people on earth. Book a transfer from your hotel, opt for a shuttle or public bus, or take a domestic flight to one of the peninsulas larger towns. In other words, Nicoyans receive a healthy dose of vitamins in their daily diet. According to researchers, most inhabitants live to at least the age of 90.. Most residents here live to be over the age of 90 and there's a high number of centenarians as well. If we can harness that, we can hopefully improve the health of future generations. In an article in the Chicagoan, Marc J. What are Blue Zones? They feel needed, and their daily lives revolve around their family and community. The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica is one of the five areas in the world that hold the distinguished classification of a Blue Zone. Costa Rica's Blue Zones Dinner is typically a light meal, consumed early in the evening which allows plenty of time for digestion before bed. The world has a number of 'Blue Zones', areas where the locals live healthier and longer lives. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Nicoya was introduced as a Blue Zone in a 2004 National Geographic article by Dan Buettner. It's a question that inhabitants of Guanacaste are happy to be asking themselves, since it's a true pride for the province's population to be home to one of the five such zones that exist worldwide. In the southern part of the peninsula, Santa Teresa is a popular surf area that sprawls for miles along the coast. Nicoya - Wikipedia Nicoya, Costa Rica, is a Central American Caribbean nation that boasts economic security and excellent health care. Costa Rica Blue Zone: The Secret to Longevity? Try spending quality times with your loved ones. Community. Were Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er). So, what's the secret behind our region's long life? Why are Costa Rica and Singapore Two of the Happiest - Blue Zones In parallel, and with the purpose of generating public policies, a Framework Cooperation Agreement in order to establish, promote and support the Blue Zone in the Nicoya Peninsula. They first noticed that people in several villages on the Italian island of Sardinia were living well into their 90s and 100s and that they had few significant mental or physical health problems. The climate in the Blue Zone is very mild, which may help to protect against diseases. They eat many fruits and vegetables often grown on their own lands, and they tend not to consume much meat. Rare species like pumas, ocelots, and margay cats make their home here too. When on vacation in Costa Rica, its also easy to pick up Blue Zone habits like getting regular outdoor exercise and a good nights sleep (though be sure to go to bed early if you want to do your sun salutations at actual sunrise). It would be hard to imagine two more different places than free-wheeling Costa Rica and legally rigid Singapore, yet both are among the happiest places on earth. The Caribbean nation is economically secure and has excellent health care. First and foremost, the competition to get ahead isnt the same here as it is in some other western countries. Dubbed "blue zones," residents of these areas share a common environment and lifestyle that . Get your fill of fresh fruits like pineapple, mango, papaya, banana, and passionfruit and vegetables and legumes like squash, cassava, plantain, yam, and beans. They begin each meal with a prayer. First . Youre sure to be on the path to a long and healthy life after the four-handed Abundance Treatment, which combines Reiki, Shiatsu, Swedish massage, sound and aromatherapy, and acupressure. According to the most recent data from the Ministry of Health, this region will be painted blue for many years to come, as over 900 people over 90 have been recorded, along with over 5,000 inhabitants over 75, the majority of whom enjoy good health in their old age. Specifically, the rural landscapes of the Nicoya Peninsula, where people have some of the longest lifespans in the world. Exploring the Blue Zones of Costa Rica: The Nicoya Peninsula One thing I found especially interesting is the idea that this long life span is dying out. "The five cantons of the peninsula continue to appear with greater longevity and we've confirmed this everywhere we've investigated. [Try this 5-Minute Tasty Squash and Beans for a taste of Costa Rican homecooking.]. A research team is currently researching the . Nicoyans eat a light dinner early in the evening. Hi, my name is Mike Gillespie & I'm fundraising to help support the Blue Zone communities in Nicoya Costa Rica. Dan Buettner is really the man behind Blue Zones, so I suggest you start your interest with him. On the peninsulas southeast coast is Tambor, with Nicoyas most southerly airport. Some sea turtles have even lived to age 150. Currently, three emblematic examples of this Blue Zone include the centenarians Jos Bonifacio "Pachito" Villegas, from Pochote de Quebrada Honda, Nicoya, who rides a horse every day at age 100, Trinidad Espinoza, who recounts anecdotes from Costa Rica in the 1930s continuously while she feeds her chickens, and Dmaso Mendoza, age 102, who, on receiving a visitor, always talks about her years as a dancer and how she enjoys the company of the five generations of her family in Santa Ana de Beln, Carillo. Costa Rica Experts Wins 2022 Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Award, Where to Find Black Sand Beaches in Costa Rica, Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: What to Expect Month by Month, 11 Travel Mistakes To Avoid Before Your Trip, 8 Costa Rica Natural Mysteries You Have to See to Believe, 5 Common Misconceptions About Travel in Costa Rica, 10 Top Costa Rica Honeymoon Bungalows & Suites, 3 Costa Rica Hotels Made The Travel & Leisure Top 100 in the World List, Costa Rica Expert Interview with Aaron Daker: top destinations, new hotels, & best months to travel. "This meeting commits us to preserve this Blue Zone, but most importantly, it should have a multiplier effect and serve as an example for the other cantons of the country" said Ana Monge, Commissioner of the Presidential Social Council of the Government of Costa Rica. Most people in this area never move. Buettner had spent several years before penning the article leading expeditions including tracing Darwins route in the Galapagos and Marco Polos trip along the Silk Road. Get to Know Costa Rica's Blue Zone: The Nicoya Peninsula I suggest visiting Cabuya (a small town between Montezuma and Santa Teresa) or San Francisco de Coyote (a remote beach town). The Nicoya Peninsula has several on offer, including near Tamarindo, outside the Cabo Blanco Reserve near Playa Mal Pais, and above the Montezuma waterfall. Check out all of our favorite travel companies. This calcium leads to stronger bones and the ability to stay physically active at a later age. The 9 Secrets Boosting a Long Life in Nicoya, Costa Rica: They have a strong sense of purpose No matter how old they are, Nicoyans have a strong sense of purpose, a reason to live longer. Costa Rica: Land of the Centenarians But other factors are at play, especially in Nicoya, an 80-mile peninsula just south of the Nicaraguan border. People often consider the impact of global decisions on future generations through legislation. It was time for me to conquer the Nicoya Peninsula. These areas are: Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, California; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Ikaria, Greece. If you would like to be near things but get a bit more of a feel for traditional Nicoya life while also enjoying a bit of the touristy perks (surfing, fun restaurants etc.) What to Incorporate Into Your Diet to Eat Like a 100 Year Old Nicoyan

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