Sardinia, Italy – Where People Live the Longest

Earlier this year, I visited the Italian island of Sardinia (Sardegna), which is located approximately 220 miles southwest of Rome.  My interest in visiting Sardinia was sparked when I learned of its summer popularity among mainland Italians, particularly for its beaches, which are noted as some of the most beautiful in the world.  However, upon visiting and speaking with my local friend and tour guide, Alessandro Picciau, Sardinia is a lot more than an island with breathtaking beaches.  Aside from Sardinia’s ancient genealogical sites, many of which date back to the bronze age, Sardinia’s population seems no less ancient.  😉

In Sardinia, there are approximately 10 times more centenarians per capita than in the United States.  For this reason, Sardinia is known as a Blue Zone, and in fact share with the Japanese island of Okinawa the highest rate of centenarians in the world.  But why?  What is it about Sardinia or its lifestyle that keeps its inhabitants ticking?

SHEEP’S MILK.  There are more sheep than people existing on the island of Sardinia, and many of the food traditions are based on sheep’s milk, which has more nutritional value than cow’s milk and goat’s milk.  Pecorino cheese, for example, comes from sheep’s milk (pecora means sheep in the Italian language).

MEDITERRANEAN DIET. Sardinian’s embrace the Mediterranean diet, eating predominantly whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables.  Sardinians also fish, hunt, and cultivate the food that they eat, which is always the healthier option than buying processed foods.

WINE.  Wine is popular all over Italy, being a part of the residents’ daily routines.  In Sardinia, however, the Cannonau red wine reigns supreme, which is made from the Grenache grape, and is the most common varietal choice among Sardinians.  It is not uncommon, in Sardinia, to drink wine daily, even as a centenarian.  For those of you interested in buying Cannonau wine from Italy, contact AUDARYA.

SOCIAL LIFE.  Elderly Sardinians involve themselves in many activities.  Through daily social interactions and networking, Sardinians maintain purpose, keep their minds strong, and avoid loneliness.

WALKING.  One thing that Italians do daily is walk.  It is always strange to an Italian to see an American drive their car a mile to the store.  It’s only a mile!  Through daily walking, Sardinians not only maintain physical strength, but promote longevity with every step.

Indeed, mostly all Italians embrace the above habits and customs, which is why their life expectancy is high compared to that of the United States and most other countries; however, there is something extraordinary about Sardinia.  For a more scientific analysis explaining this phenomenon, you can read the researcher’s book HERE.

Obviously we cannot all move to Sardinia and adopt the lifestyle of Sardinians, but what we can do is focus on learning from Sardinians.  For those of you who wish to visit Sardinia, please contact Alessandro Picciau, and he will be happy to show you his wonderful island, providing you a truly magnificent Sardinian experience.  Who knows, maybe if you spend enough time there, you might regain some years on your life that you previously lost from the unhealthy hustle and bustle of your own daily routines…