“I studied centenarians for 20 years and this is the bread they eat every day”

Do you know the blue zones? These regions of the world hold the records for longevity with the highest number centenarians. Among them we find Sardinia in Italy, the Okinawa Islands in Japan, Nicoya in Costa Rica, Loma Linda in the United States, Icaria in Greece and Acciaroli in Italy. Dan Buettner, researcher and author of Blue zones – Where we live best and mostly (ed. I’m interested), has studied the nutrition of centenarians for years.

During his trips to the Blue Zones, Dan Buettner had the opportunity to meet individuals over 100 years old and study their lifestyles to understand the secrets of their longevity. According to his observations, people who lived for more than a century preferred a diet consisting of 95% plants, with a restriction of fat and industrial products.

Through a recent video on TikTok, he shares the bread most eaten by centenarians, especially in Sardinia.

Sourdough bread would contribute the most to longevity

Dan Buettner urges caution when choosing bread to accompany your meals. He warns against white bread (baguette, sandwich bread, etc.) that is rich carbohydrates and which contributes to the rise in blood sugar levels. Not only does it favor weight gain, but also Type 2 diabetesand all nutritionists will confirm this.

However, not all breads are harmful! Studying the behavior of centenarians living in Sardinia, the researcher identified the bread that most contributes to longevity: it would be sourdough bread.

The low gluten content also has little effect on blood sugar levels. “The secret of longevity may be in sourdough bread “, he summarizes.

Rich in fiber, this bread is also beneficial for the intestinal flora.

Favorite snacks of Italian centenarians

If you want to know more about the diet of centenarians living in Sardinia, know that they are lovers of chickpeas and beans: these legumes they are an excellent source of protein and fiber.

Dan Buettner also emphasizes the importance of eating nuts. Their consumption 5 times a week would increase life expectancy according to a study conducted in 2021. They are good sources of good fats, excellent for heart treatment and weight regulation. Very filling, nuts help maintain blood sugar levels.