Sardinia, Italy’s second largest island after Sicily, mainly hosts travelers as a vacation spot known for it’s for its beaches and its emerald coast – I visited for a completely different reason. I was on a mission to see as much of the interior of the island as possible. In particular, I wanted to visit the villages in the Nuoro region that comprises the “Blue Zone” of Sardinia.
What exactly is a “Blue Zone?” It’s a demographic region where people live active lives past the age of 100. They have a low incidence of heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and other commonly known chronic illness. Additionally, their mental disposition is very positive.
This small area of Sardinia has fascinated demographers, medical researchers, psychologists and anyone studying extreme longevity and overall physical and mental health, including the National Geographic magazine and its team of photographers. As an Italian American nutritionist and longevity thought leader, the trip was a must for me and long overdue. I’ve researched, studied and read about the secrets of longevity and presented on the topic at conferences (most recently in Italy) and community groups, but I needed to explore for myself, meet with researchers in the area and talk with centenarians who are 100 years old and beyond. What I saw and experienced was extraordinary and transformational both personally and professionally.
Recently, the Fra Noi magazine published my account of the trip and what I learned. If you are interested in an authentic look at life in the Blue Zone, read more here. The photos alone are worth a thousand words.
