Loose Women: Dr Hilary discusses how to live longer
Scientists and research papers continue to agree that a healthy diet and an active lifestyle are some of the greatest instruments you can add to your toolbox for achieving a long life.
However, the 44 centenarians that live on the Nicoya peninsula in north-western Costa Rica suggest that the approach to longevity might be simpler.
The area is laden with some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches but the rocky terrain means motorcycles, bicycles or horses offer the easiest way to get around.
However, this doesn’t pose a problem for locals like José Bonafacio Villegas, who has ridden a horse nearly every day for the last 100 years.
Villegas is one of the peninsula’s centenarians and he was about to turn 103 on 15 May 2020 at the time he spoke to the BBC.
READ MORE Doctor shares simple at-home test that could predict how long you’ll live
The peninsula is also one of the six Blue Zones around the world, which describes places with higher-than-average life expectancies.
In Nicoya’s case, the proportion of centenarians is around three and a half times the global average.
While experts usually attribute factors like diet to the longevity dictated by Blue Zones, Valeria Quesada, extract pseudoephedrine from allegra an Integrative and Nutritional physician and expert on healthy ageing local to the area, thinks the secret is the peninsula itself.
She told Express.co.uk: “I dare say with certainty, because I live in the area and I also see it in other centenarians from other parts of Costa Rica, that their lifestyles so close and synchronous with the rhythms of nature and their deep beliefs in God, have been key in their longevity.
“And today, we have many scientific papers that show the regenerative effects that contact with nature and believing in something bigger than ourselves have on the body.”
The longevity expert added that the high number of “best beaches” in the world doesn’t hurt either.
Another reason behind the high population of centenarians in this area could be the community spirit on the peninsula.
Quesada said: “The sense of community, sharing, humour and being at the service of others are one of the most important pillars.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Don’t miss…
Doctor shares simple at-home test that could predict how long you’ll live[TEST]
Dr Mosley recommends exercise that could ‘turn back the clock by decades'[EXPERT]
The eight-week diet that could make you up to 11 years younger[DIET TIPS]
“On Sundays, they are always celebrating something in one of their towns.
“They earn their living working, for the most part, growing their food and raising animals such as chickens, pigs and cows for consumption.
“Corn, mainly in the form of tortillas, and beans are staples in the diet.”
Villegas also spent most of his life as a farmer, growing foods like rice, beans and plantains and raising livestock.
Although he couldn’t keep up with his workload and retired at the age of 95, this high number is a whopping 30 years after the standard retirement age in Costa Rica.
While Nicoya certainly offers a huge advantage in the form of colourful produce, fresh seafood, tight community and sublime nature, Quesada shared her “top tips” for living over 100 you can implement anywhere.
The healthy ageing expert recommended the following:
- Have a why: why do I want to live over 100?
- Keep the body moving: motion creates strength and energy
- Always choose the freshest and most colourful food possible: food is our cell’s fuel.
- Build a tribe: learn to create positive relationships and accountability.
“I am a faithful believer that the more aligned we live with the cycles of nature, the easier it is to understand and support each other over time and for that we can do many things,” she added.
Source: Read Full Article