New 'Blue Zone' Candidate Village Shows High Rates of Longevity

National Geographic researchers have identified a small village in Sardinia, Italy, as a potential new 'blue zone,' a region characterized by unusually high rates of longevity and survival into old age. In Bolotana, a village of 2,262 residents, 10 individuals were over 100 years old as of 2024, a rate approximately 10 times higher than the Sardinian average and 11 times the U.S. average.

Daily Habits of Longevity

A team of researchers, including Dan Buettner, founder of Blue Zones and a National Geographic Fellow, investigated Bolotana's exceptional lifespan. Their findings, published in Frontiers in Aging, highlight three common lifestyle habits among the village's long-lived residents:

• Consistent Movement: Residents habitually walk on the village's steep streets to reach shops, workplaces, and friends' homes.
• Plant-Based Diet: The traditional diet is largely vegetarian, emphasizing beans, vegetables, wheat, olives, and olive oil.
• Social Connectivity: Strong social bonds are maintained through regular gatherings with friends, family, and neighbors for meals and community activities.

While these habits have not been definitively proven to cause longevity, researchers are examining how the village's environment and traditions may contribute to its residents' extended lifespans. Buettner noted that Bolotana possesses some of the most comprehensive data on centenarians globally.

Bolotana's Unique Environment

The original Sardinian blue zone, identified in the late 1990s, is located in the highlands and known for male longevity. In contrast, Bolotana is an agricultural community where men's increased involvement in household responsibilities may alleviate stress on women, potentially contributing to their longevity advantage.

Buettner observed that women in Bolotana appear more socially integrated than in other blue zones, citing examples of women gathering for activities like baking, sharing meals, and attending church. This strong sense of community and social support may play a role in their longevity.

The Bolotana Diet

The traditional Bolotana diet is predominantly plant-based, with beans forming a dietary cornerstone. Minestrone soup, made with seasonal vegetables and beans, is a common lunch, the day's largest meal. While meat is consumed, it is typically reserved for special occasions, eaten about five times a month.

Olive oil from ancient trees is a key component, and researchers are studying its unusually high levels of odd-chain fatty acids for potential links to longevity. Unlike some other regions, lard is not traditionally used for cooking in Bolotana.

A Natural Approach to Longevity

Buettner emphasized that Bolotana residents do not actively pursue longevity through structured exercise or biohacking. Instead, their extended lifespans appear to be a natural outcome of their environment and daily routines. The hilly terrain encourages constant walking, which Buettner suggests is more beneficial for longevity than scheduled gym visits.

He noted that walkable communities in America show a similar life-expectancy advantage. Buettner concluded that the habits contributing to longevity in Bolotana are pleasant and enhance daily life, suggesting that creating environments that naturally encourage movement and social connection is key to fostering a healthier population.