In this region of Central America, residents have the world’s lowest rate of middle-age mortality and the second-highest concentration of male centenarians. They have strong faith communities, deep social networks, and regular, low-intensity physical activity.

Nicola Peninsula, Costa Rica

This island is eight miles off the coast of Turkey in the Aegean Sea. It has some of the lowest rates of middle-age mortality and dementia worldwide. Research suggests their increased longevity is linked to their traditional Mediterranean diet.

Ikaria, Greece

This community has the highest concentration of Seventh-day Adventists in the United States. The residents live ten healthy years more than the average American. Their diet includes grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables.

Loma Linda, California

The mountainous highlands of this Italian island has the world’s highest concentration of centenarian men. They eat a low-protein diet associated with lower diabetes, cancer, and death rates for people under age 65.

Ogliastra Region, Sardinia

Okinawa is home to the world’s longest-lived women.  Their diet includes staples like Okinawan sweet potatoes, soybeans, mugwort, turmeric, and goya (bitter melon).

Okinawa, Japan

Author Dan Buettner and his team have been working for over a decade on identifying places of longevity worldwide. They found places with a high concentration of individuals over 100 years old and clusters of people who had grown old without health problems like heart disease, obesity, cancer, or diabetes.