Sardinia is considered a Blue Zone, a place with a high concentration of people over one hundred years old. This has led scientists and nutritionists to look at the Sardinian diet for answers — perhaps the secret behind the real fountain of youth.
Why do people in Sardinia enjoy long, healthy lives exceeding those in more sophisticated and advanced countries? The answer is in the food. The Sardinian diet is the true Mediterranean diet, known as the most beneficial way of eating, and it’s easier to adopt than you think.
Whole grain bread is part of every meal, and although consuming meat is customary, beans and other legumes are predominant. Veggies and fruits are not uncommon, and everything is cooked with local extra-virgin olive oil. Pecorino cheese plays a significant role in the Sardinian diet as well, and people prefer fresh seafood and fish over red meat.
It has become clear it’s not only the food enjoyed on the island that has blessed its population with long lives, but also their lifestyle. Enjoying wine often is mandatory, and nearly all food is grown and consumed fresh. There’s no processed food in the Sardinian diet, and although sweet treats exist, they’re always made artisanal and enjoyed in moderation.
What can we learn about Sardinia’s centenarian diet? For starters, that there’s nothing like eating fresh food, home-cooked with traditional techniques and methods. Then there’s pursuing an active lifestyle. People walk around in Sardinia, and they stay active even at an old age. Is this the secret behind staying young and healthy? It surely is.
There are a few other Blue Zones in the world, most around the Mediterranean basin. It comes as no surprise that the food traditions are not dissimilar to those you can experience in Sardinia. On such a gorgeous island and with such delicious food, how not to live a long, meaningful life?
