Coffee, red wine, and water are three beverages that are commonly consumed regularly and in moderation by long-lived people in Blue Zones.
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| Water is the most consumed daily beverage by people living long lives in Blue Zones. (Source: Fairfield Health Center) |
Longevity expert Dan Buettner spent years studying Blue Zones—areas around the world where people live to 100 at unusually high rates.
In her quest to uncover the secrets of these longevity zones, Butter identifies certain foods and drinks that may be key contributors to longevity.
Below are 3 drinks that centenarians often use every day.
Coffee
According to Dan Butter, coffee is widely consumed in Ikaria (Greece), Sardinia (Italy) and Nicoya (Costa Rica).
In his book The Blue Zones Secret to Longevity , Butter claims that this popular beverage is linked to a lower incidence of Parkinson's disease, a claim that has been scientifically proven.
In a study published in May 2000 titled Association of Coffee and Caffeine Intake with Parkinson's Disease Risk, scientists concluded: "The findings indicate that higher coffee and caffeine intake is associated with a significantly lower incidence of Parkinson's disease."
They also found that one important factor, the caffeine in coffee, emerged as a key factor. "The data suggest that this mechanism is related to caffeine intake rather than other nutrients in coffee," the experts stressed.
Red wine
Many people may be surprised to learn that red wine is quite popular among the health-conscious residents of the Blue Zones, where moderation is the main rule. "People in most Blue Zones drink one to three small glasses of red wine a day, usually with meals and with friends," says Dan Butter.
A study published by the National Library of Medicine found a link between red wine and heart health. The study notes: "The benefits of moderate wine consumption are widely supported by the scientific literature.
Accordingly, red wine consumption is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD)".
Water
The third beverage that Blue Zones long-lived people consume daily and in large quantities is water. Dr. Sunni Patel elucidates the benefits of water when he says, “Drinking adequate amounts of water helps maintain proper blood volume and promotes optimal blood circulation.”
He stresses the importance of staying hydrated: "Drinking enough water ensures that blood flows smoothly through the blood vessels, reducing the risk of blood clots forming.
Water helps dilute the concentration of certain blood components, such as fibrinogen and platelets, which are involved in clot formation."
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