Nicoya, Costa Rica is a Blue Zone longevity hot spot. But what is its secret? In part, it’s plants. QCOSTARICA (vegnews.
com) Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula is known for its beautiful beaches, stunning rainforests, and impressive waterfalls. It’s an environment that promotes peacefulness, wellness, and health—quite literally. The region is home to one of the world’s five Blue Zones, which are areas where people live considerably longer, healthier lives than the rest of the population.
Here’s more about the secrets to the Nicoyan people’s longevity, including the types of food you’ll always find on their plates. Why do people in Nicoya live so long? In Nicoya, the average life expectancy is 85 years old. This is eight years longer than the rest of the country, where the average life expectancy is 77 years old, and nearly nine years longer than the US, where the average life expectancy is just over 76 years old.
In part, this longevity can be attributed to the environment. It’s mountainous, which is ideal for maintaining fitness levels, it’s peaceful, which promotes low-stress levels, and the abundance of tropical trees means that nutrient-rich fruit is consistently readily available. But there’s more to it than that, notes the official Blue Zone organization.
“[One longevity factor] is the ‘plan de vida,’ or reason to live, which propels a positive outlook among elders and helps keep them active,” it states. “Another is a focus on family and a spe.