You’ve possibly never heard of Loma Linda, California (population roughly 24,000). But the small town in San Bernardino County has been identified as a “blue zone,” also known as a small area where residents live longer than average, by the company of the same name. The average life expectancy in the United States is about 77.28 years; in Loma Linda, people live 10 years longer on average.
The wellness initiative Blue Zones clocked this anomaly and took a look into why. Here are the key factors:
Find a Purpose-Driven Community
A large portion of Loma Linda’s population is made up of Seventh Day Adventists, a conservative denomination of the Christian faith. The community is vegetarian, does not smoke or drink, practices a 24-hour sabbath, and regularly exercises through long walks and hikes.
But you don’t have to convert to Seventh Day Adventism to reflect these principles into your daily life. Instead, try incorporating one or two by finding a walking buddy (experts say going on a daily walk will change your life) or going meat-free a few days a week.
A Diet Filled With Vegetables
Blue Zones looked deeply into the diet of Loma Linda’s centenarians and found that it was roughly made up of 30% vegetables, 30% fruit, 10% beans and dairy respectively, 7% whole grains, and the rest nuts, added fats, and meat (if they ate it). Less than 1% of their diet was made up of sugar.
Another major finding centered around tomatoes: A study found that Adventist women who ate the fruit three to four times a week had a 70% lower chance of ovarian cancer than the women in the same community who did not.
The Best Snack Is Nuts
Nuts are one of the most nutrient-dense plant-based foods (with pistachios, walnuts, and almonds in the lead)—and, it turns out, a popular snack for Adventists. Blue Zones found that those who consume the snack five times a week not only have 50% less chance of getting heart disease but also live on average two years longer.
Focus on Breakfast
In this community, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Adventist dining rituals start off with a large meal, with progressively smaller portions throughout today (and, as we noted, nuts are the snack of choice). Some people believe that this promotes better sleep, but studies find there are too many variables in lifestyle to be completely conclusive about this.
