Food & Lifestyle Habits of the Oldest Peoples on Earth

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Okinawa, Japan

Ever heard of a place in Japan where people frequently live to be 100 or older? That magical place is known as Okinawa, the island country's southernmost prefecture, which covers more than two-thirds of the Ryukyu Islands. Once referred to as the "land of immortals", it's home to the longest-living women on the planet. According to bluezones.com, two-thirds of their overall diet consist of Okinawan purple sweet potatoes, which some might believe to be a miracle superfood. But the real power of their longevity seems to lie in community—maintaining an extremely close and supportive social network, called a moai, all throughout life. Besides their tight-knit social bonds, long-living Okinawans' lifestyle includes:

• Having a strong sense of purpose and positive outlook on life. They rise in the morning knowing what their roles are and maintain deep ties to the community.
• Following a mostly plant-based diet, rich in sweet potatoes, veggies and tofu. Meat and fish are consumed in very small quantities.
• Good amounts of sunlight and regular physical activity, such as walking or gardening.