For today’s edition of Sunday with Sisson, I’m discussing Blue Zones. You’ve probably heard of the Blue Zone phenomenon, especially with a new Netflix documentary on the subject. Here’s the situation: there are five or six “Blue Zones” around the world, regions known for a high number of supercentenarians - people living to or past 100. These zones share commonalities thought to contribute to longevity:
- High intake of plant foods.
- Low meat consumption.
- Significant legume consumption.
- Moderate alcohol consumption.
- Persistent low-intensity physical activity.
- Strong community bonds.
This documentary and others often mention Blue Zones like Sardinia, Nicoya (Costa Rica), Ikaria (Greece), and Okinawa, and I believe Singapore was recently added.
People frequently ask me, "Mark, if the Blue Zone concept is accurate, doesn’t it contradict the Primal Blueprint? If these individuals live to 100 largely because they eat many beans and little meat, doesn’t that refute your fundamental rule to eat lots of animals?"
I find this amusing, particularly because Dan Buettner, the originator of the idea and author of the book on the subject, is my downstairs neighbor. We talk frequently and maintain a strong friendship despite our disagreements.
He believes he’s caught me in a contradiction. But observing the Blue Zones, I see people leading very Primal lives. I see them walking frequently, staying active throughout the day, not spending hours on phones or TVs. They enjoy meals with friends and family, get plenty of fresh air and sunshine, and consume a variety of nutrient-rich plants. And truthfully, these long-living populations do consume a fair amount of animal products - more than popular narratives suggest, and they’d likely consume more given easier access.
Here’s my final take: supercentenarians would probably live long lives on various diets, provided they’re not utterly disastrous. Longevity in these cases is largely genetic. It’s crucial to remember, as I always say, that genetics aren’t destiny. Even with good genetics, one can ruin it with poor diet and lifestyle choices. What I see in many supercentenarians is a genetic inclination towards long life, supported by generally healthy living. They mostly eat whole foods, move consistently throughout the day, get lots of fresh air and nature and sunlight, engage deeply in their communities, and maybe enjoy a bit of wine or sake every day. The diet, which again contains more meat than they let on, isn't even the most important part of it.
We also shouldn’t forget an often-overlooked Blue Zone that didn't make it into the documentary: Hong Kong. As of 2023, Hong Kong has the world’s highest life expectancy and highest meat consumption. This isn’t about niche groups who consume extreme amounts of meat, but on a national level, Hong Kong is number one in meat consumption and longevity. They eat well over a pound of meat per day, with an average lifespan of 85 years.
There's more to it than all that, but I'll leave that for another time. In the end, Blue Zones are a nice idea that support the Primal lifestyle more than refute it.
What do you think, folks? Have you watched the documentary or read the book? Let me know in the comment section of
New and Noteworthy.
