What do the villagers with the longest lifespans in the world eat?

In Italy, drinking wine made from local vineyards and eating organic vegetables, fruits, and meat grown on fertile farmlands is the secret to the longevity of the people of Sardinia.

The island of Sardinia, Italy, has the highest centenary rate in the world . On this island, approximately 6 out of every 2,000 to 3,000 people live to be 100 years old, according to Valter Longo, director of the University of Southern California's Institute for Longevity. Furthermore, the number of centenarian men is also higher than that of women. This is considered rare, as the average lifespan for men is generally shorter than that of women.

"Demographically, this region is unique because men live unusually long lives. In the US, for every centenarian man, there are five women of the same age. In Sardinia, that ratio is 1:1," said Dr. Dan Buettner, an expert on the world's longevity blue regions.

He pointed out several reasons why people in Sardinia are able to live long and healthy lives.

Drinking wine

In recent years, Sardinian cuisine has become more diverse. This is a result of the influx of immigrants, who have brought their own cooking styles to the island.

However, one key element that has always been present in Sardinian cuisine is canonau wine, with its exceptionally high antioxidant content. According to Sebastian Piras, a photographer and filmmaker from Sardinia, this traditional wine is made from the Grenache grape variety. Canonau bottles are aged in local vineyards and often don't have labels. Bars typically serve them in medium-sized glasses.

Previous research has shown that drinking a glass of red wine a day helps prevent heart disease and even cancer. Scientists point out that consuming small to moderate amounts of alcohol helps reduce stress and improve blood circulation. Alcohol's components may also reduce the risk of certain diseases such as stroke, upper gastrointestinal cancer, lung cancer, and hip fractures.

"Farmers' food"

According to Dr. Buettner, Sardinian cuisine is described as "farmers' food." The diet consists mainly of beans, green vegetables, and whole grains. People also enjoy bread and cheese, primarily Pecorino. Sardinians typically consume food grown in their own gardens.

Piras shared that in his hometown of Barbagia, in the 1970s, families often ate homemade pasta with pork or lamb.

"In my area, meat is the main ingredient in the diet. Local specialties include suckling pig, lamb, and beef. Vegetables are mainly radishes, dill, and celery—very basic. Depending on the season, we also eat wild asparagus. It has a very strong flavor, different from that in America," he said.

However, according to Dr. Buettner, food accounts for only 25% of the factors contributing to longevity in Sardinia. The key to their centenary is daily exercise. Due to the steep, mountainous terrain and the characteristic lifestyle of their shepherds, the people of Sardinia are constantly engaged in low- to moderate intensity exercise, albeit unintentionally.

Lunch is the biggest meal of the day.

Sardinians enjoy a hearty lunch, complete with appetizers, main course, and dessert, accompanied by salad, homemade pasta, and Pecorino cheese. Despite their busy work schedules, people usually try to return home for lunch with their families. After the meal, they take a nap and then return to work.

At dinner, Sardinians typically eat less and later than usual. Breakfast, which includes many sweets, is eaten early. The common thread among the foods is simplicity. "Even wealthy families have very simple meals. We don't use as many ingredients as in traditional Italian dishes. And we eat very fresh food," Piras says.

Senior citizens chat on the island of Sardinia. Photo: CBS

Respect the older generation.

Unlike in the US, where the elderly live in isolation in nursing homes or retirement centers, Sardinians do not set a specific retirement age. They create opportunities for the elderly to work.

"One thing Americans need to learn from the Sardinians is that they recognize that the elderly possess wisdom. They respect that wisdom, whether it's general experience or specific knowledge about farming, planting times, and how to deal with drought and pests," Buettner said.

Elderly people are not only respected for their long lives, but they are also given the opportunity to work like other family members.

"Families here would be very embarrassed to put their parents in nursing homes. When older people are at home, they tend to the garden, clean the house, cook, or babysit," Buettner said.

Piras still frequently visits his hometown even though he lives in New York City. He says that typically, a family in Sardinia will have three generations living together. If an older family member moves elsewhere, the family will check in with them daily. The relationships between family members are extremely close and intimate.

Thuc Linh (According to NBC News )

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