Tourists may know Sardinia as an idyllic Italian paradise with stunning beaches and villages – but experts say it may also hold the secret to longevity
An idyllic Mediterranean island, with a notable ‘number of 100-year-olds’, has been hailed for its healthy lifestyle habits. While many of us know Sardinia as an Italian paradise, boasting stunning beaches and picturesque villages, you might not realise it’s among the world’s six ‘Blue Zones’.
Residents of these elusive regions are significantly more likely to live to 100 than the average US citizen, according to reports. This may be due to various local ‘longevity practices’, including a plant-based diet, frequent exercise and even a bit of gardening.
Yet, one aspect of Sardinia’s culture particularly struck a chord with Dan Buettner, an avid researcher of Blue Zones across the world. After chatting with residents in 2022, the 64-year-old revealed his thoughts in a TikTok video but warned that reaching 100 is no mean feat.
“They reach extraordinary ages, largely without chronic disease,” he told his followers. “How do they do it? Well, the truth is, we don’t exactly know for sure. We know it probably involves mostly a plant-based diet, we know it probably involves a walk up and down these very steep streets every day.
“We know for sure the fact that they have very strong family ties, very strong social ties, it is probably the number one contributor to longevity. We met with a 102-year-old woman yesterday, who just turned 102, and she has seven nieces who take turns coming over to her house every day to make sure she gets the right food, make sure she stays mentally engaged, make sure she stays clean and make sure she has a social life.
“And, she told me she would be dead at least 22 years ago if it wasn’t for her family. That is the big takeaway, I know it’s inconvenient, I know a lot of Americans want the quick fix or, the pill, or the supplement.
“But the truth of the matter is, the wisdom of our grandmothers probably holds most of the secret to longevity.” While it may seem unrelated, Dan certainly isn’t alone in his thoughts on social and family ties.
Recent research from the University of South Australia monitored the daily activities of 397 adults to see what habits best support longevity. Findings revealed that while TV and video game consumption may worsen cognitive decline, other activities like socialising and even prayer have the potential to bolster brain health.
These results come amidst increasing concern for dementia – an umbrella term describing several conditions that lead to cognitive deterioration over time. In 2023, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia were leading killers in England and Wales, accounting for 66,876 deaths, as per the Office for National Statistics.
Dr Maddison Mellow, who worked on the project, explained last year: “We found that sedentary behaviours which promote mental stimulation or social engagement—such as reading or talking with friends—are beneficial for cognitive function, whereas others like watching TV or gaming have a negative effect.
“So, the type of activity is important. And, while the ‘move more, sit less’ message certainly holds true for cardiometabolic and brain health, our research shows that a more nuanced approach is needed when it comes to thinking about the link between sedentary behaviours and cognitive function.”
Dan has also stressed that surrounding yourself with people who prioritise healthier habits may influence you to follow suit, whether you realise it or not. His perspective came amidst other pioneering studies on the subject, too, including a notable Harvard project from 2007.
This study explored a ‘densely interconnected social network’ of 12,067 people and found that if a person had an obese friend, their chances of becoming obese themselves rose by 57%. Meanwhile, if one partner in a marriage became obese, the likelihood of another partner becoming so increased by 37%. Obesity is among the biggest risk factors for heart disease, contributing to thousands of deaths each year in the UK.
In a separate video, Dan said: “It’s not a bad idea to have a vegan or vegetarian in your immediate social circle. Am I telling you [that] you have to be vegan yourself? No. But I am telling you that the research is very clear – that if you are eating a whole food, plant-based diet, and that diet is delicious, you are way more likely to live longer.
“The best way to do it is make friends who eat that way because every time you go to their house, they are going to serve you that food. Every time you guys go out to eat, there are going to be healthy whole food, plant-based options.”