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nicoya costa rica blue zone
The Nicoya peninsula in Costa Rica is one of the "Blue Zones," regions linked to health and longevity.Gerhard/ullstein bild via Getty Images
  • Blue Zones are places in the world where people live the longest, healthiest lives.

  • People in those regions tend to have a similar diet.

  • There are health benefits to limiting foods like red meat and refined grains.

It may be worth cutting back on processed meat, sweets, and soda if you want to live a long, healthy life.

The Blue Zones are regions where residents tend to live longer and have fewer health problems as they age.

Blue Zones vary geographically and by cuisine, but they all share the same patterns of eating. Blue Zones have whole, plant-based foods like leafy veggies, fruits, beans, and grains.

The regional diet tends to avoid processed foods, refined grains, sweet drinks, and added sugar, as well as incorporating red meat and animal fats, if at all.

These foods may be linked to a lower risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease, cancer, and more.

Take a back seat to whole foods when eating processed foods.

a view from the top of a grocery cart facing an aisle of chips, snacks and other processed foods in soft focus
Ultra-processed foods are convenient and may be tasty, but research suggests they're not good for our health.Mok Jee Chuang/EyeEm/Getty images

From Costa Rica to Japan, the Blue Zones diet relies on whole, unprocessed foods.

Pre-made and convenience foods are full of added fat, salt, sugar, andPreservatives, which are taken precedence over by foods like rice, beans, and veggies.

Ultra-processed foods like pizza, chips, and the like have been linked to increased risk of early death from illnesses like heart disease or cancer.

It can be difficult to eliminate all processed foods from your diet, since they include everything from condiments and sauces to yogurt and granola bars.

According to experts, if you can't cut back completely, aim for healthier processed foods.

There are limited sugars in everything from snacks to sauces.

Spoon filled with sugar cubes
For better health, avoid sugary snacks in favor of nutritious alternatives like nuts and fruit.Peter Dazeley/Getty Images

Evidence suggests that too much sugar is one of the culprits that sabotage longevity.

There is sugar in processed foods. The sources of sugar in foods like cookies, candy, and ice cream are surprising.

Too much of the sweet stuff can lead to weight gain, mood problems, skin conditions, and higher risk of diabetes.

Blue Zones residents tend to snack on nuts, which are packed with fiber and healthy fats, or on fruits with natural sugars.

White bread, pasta, and pastries are not good for you.

a slice of white bread, viewed from a close angle inside a plastic bread bag
Robin Gentry/Getty Images

The Blue Zones diet is high inCarbohydrates but with an important caveat: they favor whole grains over the refined, white, floury counterparts popular in the standard American diet.

A fluffier texture and a longer shelf life are created when a grain is processed. Fats and sugar can be added to improve flavor.

White bread, pasta, pizza dough, and pastries provide calories but few other benefits, and may be detrimental to heart health.

The lack of fiber in refined grains makes them less satiating than whole grains, which makes you more likely to overindulge and experience spikes in blood sugar.

Red meat is eaten in moderation.

hot dog cart
Blue Zones diets tend to prioritize protein sources like beans and seafood over red meat.Juanmonino/Getty Images

Blue Zones diet is almost entirely plant-based, according to researcher Dan Buettner, which may explain their longevity benefits.

People who eat a lot of meat have higher rates of chronic illnesses.

The link between meat and health risks is observational, which means the research doesn't directly show that eating more meat leads to worse health. Some evidence suggests that red meat is a healthier alternative to processed meat.

Many experts and studies still recommend moderation when it comes to eating red meat.

Blue Zones usually include high-protein foods like beans, seeds, fish, and dairy in their diet.

Diet drinks are not as popular as water, coffee, and tea.

soda shot
Even diet versions of sugary drinks can be detrimental to your health, evidence suggests.EyeEm / Getty

Sugary beverages like soda, juice, energy drinks, and the like are one of the most prevalent sources of added sugar in the standard American diet. The risk of cancer and other illnesses is increased by high consumption.

Some people have switched to diet sodas to avoid added sugar, but experts say these alternatives are not much better for your health. Stronger cravings and less sensitivity to sweet tastes have been linked to a higher risk of cancer and heart disease.

People who live in Blue Zones drink water or other sweetened beverages.

Coffee and tea have health benefits due to the fact that they have a lot of vitamins.

Some Blue Zones diet include red wine with meals, small amounts of which have minimal risks and potential benefits.

Olive oil is often replaced with animal fats.

butter
Swapping olive oil for butter may have health benefits.lutavia/Getty Images

Since Blue Zone diet is mostly plant-based, they tend to rely on olive oil and other sources of fat.

Saturated fats from animal products can be harmful to the heart, but there is good evidence that these unsaturated fats can help.

A number of health issues, including cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disease, may be prevented by substituting butter for olive oil.

Experts say it is fine to include butter and other saturated fat sources in moderation, particularly from high-quality sources.

The original article can be found on Insider.

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