The secret of longevity in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is in the very short list of regions where people live many years and its inhabitants not only live long, but also live very happily.

Costa Rica is home to one of the five “Blue Zones” in the world. A Blue Zone is a geographic region where people live unusually long and healthy lives compared to the global average. In the province of Guanacaste, in the coastal area of the Nicoya Peninsula, is one of these places where people enjoy very good health, an enviable energy, and a lifestyle that promotes longevity in this physical realm for many years.

Nicoya joins these geographical areas where people live long lives, including Okinawa Island in Japan, Ikaria in Greece, Loma Linda in California, United States, and the island of Sardinia in Italy.

It seems that the secret lies not only in the environment surrounding these places but also in the way of life of their inhabitants, their customs, and habits. Among the main secrets, there is talk of a plant-based diet with almost no presence of processed foods, as well as an active and mobile lifestyle where people walk, engage in moderate sports activities, spend a lot of time in contact with nature, and one of the great secrets is a very active family and social life, where gatherings, conversations, and sharing around a coffee, a glass of wine, or a delicious meal are common. These lifestyles have not only shown the possibility of having a long life but also having a good quality of life, where people enjoy good health, high spirits, and mental clarity well into old age.

Currently, these and other areas are at risk of disappearing due to changing habits among younger populations, who exhibit patterns of eating highly processed meals that, while convenient, are not as healthy, sedentary lifestyles with little physical activity, low exposure to nature, and social isolation resulting from technology and convenience. All these are products of fast-paced lives, pressure, and the pursuit of comfort and convenience.