Nicoya and the Secret to Long Life

Post by GuillermoG

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The Nicoya Peninsula- north of Guanacaste, is considered to be part of a list of regions worldwide that offer increased life longevity. With a length of 4.100km (2.5 miles approximately) and an approximate population with little over 130,000 inhabitants, the Nicoya Peninsula has around five thousand people over the age of 75- many of whom are also over the age of 90. These statistics were extracted from data produced by the Centro Centroamericano de Poblacion (CCP). (Central American Population Center)

An analysis conducted in 2004 also found that generally, the male elderly population of this area have the highest life expectancy compared to other males of the same age in the rest of the world. This means that a “tico” man (a Costarican man) that reaches the age of 80 could live an average of 8.2 more years, while a 90 year old man could reach 4.4 more years- this is above the average expectancy even in nations such as Japan and/or the United States.

In 2007, National Geographic and Dan Buettner the founder of Bluezones.com (blue zones being areas on the planet that are professed to have the best life expectancies) visited Nicoya, where its residents live longer than those in the rest of the country.
Not only did they discover that the studies that had been conducted previously were correct, but it was also discerned that Nicoya is a “blue zone” area. The elderly here have a better quality of life and have better health. Around the world there are other blue zones located on islands such as: Sardinia (Italy) and Okinawa (Japan).

Scientists maintain the view that less than 25% of our life expectancy is dictated by our genes: the life expectancy of our parents and grandparents. The remaining 75% can be attributed to our life style, the way we live and our daily habits. Maybe this is why it’s surprising that the results of Nicoya could help you to live a longer and happier life.

It’s definitely true that there are many local factors in Nicoya- such as water rich in calcium and the traditional diet of fruits and legumes (beans and peas) high in antioxidants, niacin and amino acids- that contribute to its being a blue zone, but there are other factors that are more associated with the people and their views on life itself.
The people of Nicoya really live as a loving and functioning family unit, they have faith in each other and in others. They also do some daily form of physical activity or exercise that helps them to stay in good shape. Aside from having a lifestyle and a purpose in life that motivates them to live a life with passion and to achieve much more (whether for themselves or for their grandchildren), they are at the same time, content with what they are and what they have. At the end of the day, this is what makes them happy and increases their endorphin levels, which at the same time strengthens their immune system.

It seems that the interest they have in themselves, in others and in maintaining alert and involved throughout their lives, are the main ingredients to “adding candles to the ‘queque’” (cake in “tico” slang) every year.
It’d be good to take note of this and better yet, to apply this strategy to our dizzying lifestyles.
Pura Vida!

Image: 50 Plus Fitness

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