Centenarians Have These 3 Drinks in Common
Want to live to 100? Longevity expert Dan Buettner highlights three beverages you need to be sure to consume.
In the world’s 'blue zones' - regions known for unusually high concentrations of long-lived residents, with Japan being the undisputed winner (see below) - researchers have studied dietary and lifestyle habits for clues to healthy aging and longevity. Recently, Buettner released a short video revealing the drinks people consume in regions where people routinely live to, and beyond, 100 years old.
Purified Water: Unsurprisingly, Buettner ranked water first among his three longevity drinks. "The indisputable, best thing you can drink to live to 100 is water. People in blue zones are drinking six to seven glasses of water. You want to make sure it is purified water. Water helps lower your blood pressure, helps keep your blood thin and keeps you hydrated."
Black Coffee: Coffee consumption is another daily habit highlighted by Buettner, who said it is associated with lower rates of diabetes and Parkinson's. "Drink it black, one to two cups a day, quit by noon, it'll help you live longer." This is supported by Professor Tim Spector, the King’s College London epidemiologist celebrated for his work on diet and the microbiome. He says “Coffee is a healthy drink. It should be in the health drinks section.”
Red Wine: Residents in blue zone areas, like Sardinia, often consume small amounts of red wine during meals. Buettner acknowledged that red wine's place in a longevity-focused diet is "controversial." Adding: "I'm very well aware of all the negative press wine is getting lately, but it's consumed in the blue zones and it seems to add years to life." Red wine contains plant compounds such as resveratrol and flavonoids, which have been studied for their potential cardiovascular effects. However, experts have increasingly questioned whether any benefits attributed to red wine outweigh the known risks of alcohol.
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