© Getty Images
Loma Linda, California
It might come as a surprise to some, but the fifth Blue Zone identified by Buettner and his research team is located in the USA's very own Loma Linda, California. Here, religion is the major common denominator, home to about 9,000 Seventh Day Adventists who tend to live a whole 10 years longer than their compatriots. In addition to 24-hr Sabbath, they have a bunch of healthy habits, which you could say make up the bulk of what our health industry wants us all to be doing anyway:
- Adventists don't smoke or drink alcohol.
- They follow a biblical diet consisting mostly of fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains. This, coupled with regular exercise, helps them maintain a healthy BMI.
- If meat is consumed, it's served as a side dish, with vegetables taking center stage.
- They eat a lot of nuts, which cuts their risk for heart disease.
- They surround themselves with like-minded people, which keeps their stress levels low and overall life satisfaction high.