“Blue Zone” is a term used to identify geographic regions that are home to some of the world’s oldest people. It was first used by author Dan Buettner, who was studying areas of the world in which people live exceptionally long lives.

There are common diet and lifestyle features of people in Blue Zones:

• Diet: Plant based or Mediterranean diet rich with vegetables, fruits beans, sweet potato, and olive oil.
• Social: Strong family connections and social networks such as faith-based communities.
• Lifestyle: Active, with exercise and walking and low stress.
• Sense of purpose was noted in two of the Zones:  In Japan called “ikigai” (reason for being), in Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica, called “plan de vida.”

National Library of Medicine – Blue Zones Article

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