B L U E Z O N E S I N S T I T U T E

Identification, Explorations, Research, Certification

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What is Blue Zones?

Blue Zones is the name and trademark used to describe the world’s longest-lived cultures and the common characteristics that explain their longevity. It is the vision of Dan Buettner who, with a team of expert demographers, identified four of the five blue zones hotspots and has led and aggregated the research to identify the common denominators. Gianni Pes first used the term "blue zone" to describe an area of extraordinary longevity in Sardinia’s Nuoro region. Pes, Michel Poulain, and Buettner are Blue Zones co-founders and continue to collaborate to identify, certify, and learn from blue zones hotspots around the world.

Criteria and Validation
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Evidence Supporting the Research

The concept of blue zones, areas where people live significantly longer and healthier lives, is supported by various studies and observations. These regions were identified by Dan Buettner and his team of researchers who investigated areas with high concentrations of centenarians and low rates of chronic diseases. The evidence supporting the existence and characteristics of blue zones regions includes demographic studies, epidemiological research, and ethnographic fieldwork.

Blue Zones Institute: Research Evidence
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Research and Publications

Ajala, O., P. English, and J. Pinkney. “Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Different Dietary Approaches to the Management of Type 2 Diabetes.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (March 2013), 505–16.
Akisaka, M., L. Asato, Y. C. Chan, M. Suzuki, T. Uezato, and S. Uamamoto. “Energy and Nutrient Intakes of Okinawan Centenarians.” Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology (June 1996), 241–48.
Antonogeorgos, G., D. B. Panagiotakos, C. Pitsavos, C. Papageorgiou, C. Chrysohoou, G. N. Papadimitriou, and C. Stefanadis. “Understanding the Role of Depression and Anxiety on Cardiovascular Disease Risk, Using Structural Equation Modeling; The Mediating Effect of the Mediterranean Diet and Physical Activity: The ATTICA Study.” Annals of Epidemiology (September 2012), 630–37.

See Full List of Publications

Blue Zones Timeline

June
1999
Dan Buettner organizes expedition to Okinawa, Japan
June
2004
Poulain and Pes publish research on Sardinia
June
2005
Dan Buettner first trademarks Blue Zones term in the United States
June
2007
Second National Geographic expedition to Nicoya (“Blue Zones Quest”) to search for a longevity explanation. Led by Dan Buettner, with Gianni Pes, Michel Poulain
June
2008
First National Geographic expedition to Ikaria, Greece. Michel Poulain leads demographic verification; Dan Buettner leads overall team
June
2009
Second National Geographic expedition to Ikaria, Greece. Led by Dan Buettner, with Michel Poulain and Gianni Pes
June
2009
Dan Buettner launches first Blue Zones Project in Albert Lea, Minnesota with United Health Foundation and AARP
June
2012
“Island Where People Forget to Die” appears in New York Times describing Ikaria in detail—by Dan Buettner
October
2017
Dan Buettner publishes research on the happiness hotspots around the world in Blue Zones of Happiness: Lessons from the World's Happiest People and National Geographic publishes a cover story on the happiest places in the world in their November 2017 issue
December
2021
Blue Zones Challenge: A 4-Week Plan for a Longer, Better Life by Dan Buettner is published summarizing how individuals can apply the research to their own environment
June
2000
Gianni Pes and Michel Poulain publish first article describing the blue zones area of Sardinia
June
2005
“Secrets to Long Life” cover story for National Geographic first identifies Okinawa and Loma Linda as blue zones areas—by Dan Buettner
June
2006
First National Geographic expedition to Nicoya Peninsula, Michel Poulain leads verification effort, Dan Buettner leads overall team
Nov
2007
National Geographic publishes expeditions findings, first describing Nicoya as a blue zones Area—by Dan Buettner
June
2008
Blue Zones: Lessons from World’s Longest-Lived People, describes Blue Zones Areas in Sardinia, Okinawa, Loma Linda and Nicoya—by Dan Buettner
June
2009
National Geographic publishes Ikaria findings first describing Ikaria as a blue zones area—by Dan Buettner
June
2010
Michel Poulain, Gianni Pes and Luis Rosero Bixby publish research on blue zones regions
June
2015
Blue Zones Solutions: Lessons on Living and Eating from the World’s Longest Lived People describes meta analysis of blue zones areas diets—by Dan Buettner
December
2019
Dan Buettner researches the food, dietary habits, and cultural traditions in the blue zones regions of the world and releases The Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100
August
2023
Dan Buettner publishes new expedition findings and summarizes research on the original blue zones, designating Singapore as a new blue zones area in Blue Zones Secrets for Living Longer
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Founder's Statement

BLUE ZONES is a brand and certification mark developed by Michel Poulain, Dan Buettner, and Giovanni Mario Pes when investigating people around the world living longer and better. BLUE ZONES is now a registered trademark owned by BLUE ZONES, LLC, and used by Messrs. Poulain, Buettner and Pes under license. Centenarians exist worldwide but there are only a few areas where their concentration is exceptional so that the population could be considered as living longer.

Read the Full Founder's Statement

Blue Zones Gallery

Snapshots from Blue Zones expeditions around the world.

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Left arrow Thai-Noodle-Bowl Make Eating Wisely Simple & Delicious