A longevity expert has issued a stark warning against one particular beverage, claiming it is “never” consumed by those who live the longest across the globe. Drawing inspiration from the dietary habits of individuals in Blue Zones - areas known for their low rates of chronic illness and high numbers of people living past 100 - he cautioned specifically against the consumption of fizzy drinks.
Blue Zones are unique areas around the world where there are fewer chronic diseases and more centenarians. These regions include Okinawa Prefecture in Japan, Nuoro Province in Sardinia, the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, and Icaria in Greece.
The remarkable longevity of these populations is often attributed to their diet, which is rich in “wholesome, nutrient-dense, and fibre-rich foods” such as a variety of plants, beans, and healthy fats, while they limit sugar and processed foods. While much of the advice inspired by Blue Zone inhabitants tends to focus on solid foods, Dan Buettner, the founder of Blue Zones LLC, suggests that beverages are just as important.
READ MORE: Can You Conquer the Big Ugly Burger Challenge at This Gloucestershire Pub?
READ MORE: Octogenarian Cultivates Hope in Bradley Stoke Orchard
In an article for bluezones.com, he outlined the dos and don’ts of drinking habits. He pointed out that soda is a drink that people in Blue Zones “never” consume. Dan advised: “Drink coffee for breakfast, tea in the afternoon, wine at 5pm, and water all day. Never drink soda pop, including diet soda.”
He further noted that, with rare exceptions, residents of Blue Zones stick to water, coffee, tea, and wine. “With very few exceptions, people in blue zones drank water, coffee, tea, and wine. Soda pop, which accounts for about half of America’s sugar intake, was unknown to most blue zone centenarians,” he added.
His advice is based on the alarming amounts of hidden sugar found in these drinks, as Dan cautions: “Too much sugar in our diet has been shown to suppress the immune system, making it harder to fend off diseases. It also spikes insulin levels, which can lead to diabetes and lower fertility, make you fat, and even shorten your life.
“In the Blue Zones diet, people consume about the same amount of naturally occurring sugars as North Americans do, but only about a fifth as much added sugar.”
Dan pointed out that a staggering proportion of America’s weight gain has been attributed to the consumption of sugary drinks, revealing: “Harvard’s Willett has estimated that 50 per cent of America’s caloric gain is directly attributable to the empty calories and liquefied sugar that come in sodas and boxed juices.
“Would you ever put 10 teaspoons of sugar on your cereal? Probably not. But that’s how much sugar you consume on average when you drink a 12-ounce can of soda pop.”
Based on his research, Dan has outlined the top tips to drink like those living in Blue Zones.