Live Long and Prosper: The 15 Healthiest Societies in History - History Collection

The Hunza Valley, nestled in northern Pakistan, is often associated with exceptional vitality and longevity. Traditional claims highlight several dietary and lifestyle factors contributing to the health of its inhabitants:

Apricot Consumption: Apricots are a staple in the Hunza diet, consumed fresh during the summer and dried for winter months. The seeds are also used to produce apricot oil, rich in antioxidants and vitamin E.
Vegetable Intake: The Hunza people consume a variety of fresh vegetables, including spinach, beans, and squash, often eating them raw or lightly cooked to retain nutrients (gopleiades.com).
Glacial Water: The region’s water, sourced from glacial streams, is exceptionally pure and rich in essential minerals like magnesium and calcium, contributing to overall health.
Active Lifestyle: Daily physical activity, including farming and walking in mountainous terrain, is integral to the Hunza way of life, promoting cardiovascular health and overall vitality.

While these practices are celebrated, it’s important to note that some claims about the Hunza people’s health have been subject to scrutiny. Studies have found signs of malnutrition and other health issues among the population, indicating that their health may not be as exceptional as often portrayed.

Switzerland’s remarkable longevity is attributed to several key factors:

Healthcare Access: The Swiss healthcare system is highly efficient, with life expectancy at 84.3 years, surpassing the OECD average by 3.2 years (oecd.org).
Physical Activity: Approximately 76% of Swiss adults engage in sufficient physical activity, exceeding the OECD average of 61%.
Diet: The Swiss diet emphasizes fermented and natural foods, contributing to lower obesity rates (12%) compared to the OECD average of 19%.

The traditional Inuit populations of Greenland and Arctic Canada have historically exhibited remarkable physical resilience and health, attributed to several key factors:

Omega-3-Rich Diet: Their diet was predominantly composed of fish and marine mammals, providing high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for cardiovascular health (ucl.ac.uk).
Fermented Foods: Consumption of fermented foods, such as igunaq (fermented meat) and muktuk (whale skin and blubber), was common, offering nutritional benefits and aiding in food preservation.
Communal Living: Strong community bonds and shared responsibilities in hunting and food preparation fostered social cohesion and mutual support.

However, contemporary Inuit communities face significant health challenges. The transition to a diet with reduced traditional foods has been linked to increased rates of chronic diseases, including diabetes and obesity. Additionally, environmental changes, such as melting sea ice, have disrupted traditional hunting practices, leading to food insecurity and economic hardships (nativetribes.info).

The Abkhazian people of the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia are renowned for their exceptional longevity, with numerous individuals living well beyond 100 years. This remarkable lifespan is attributed to several key factors:

Active Rural Lifestyle: Abkhazians maintain vigorous work habits throughout their lives, engaging in agriculture and daily physical activities that promote optimal organ function and overall health. This consistent activity is integral to their longevity (abkhazworld.com).
Diet Rich in Fresh Produce: Their diet is predominantly lactovegetarian, featuring high consumption of dairy and vegetable products, with low intake of salt, sugar, meat, and fish. This balanced nutrition aligns with recommended dietary patterns for older adults.
Supportive Social Structures: The Abkhazian family system places high value on the roles and statuses of older individuals, fostering a sense of purpose and social integration that contributes to mental and emotional well-being.

These elements, supported by both Soviet-era and modern gerontological research, underscore the multifaceted approach to health and longevity observed among the Abkhazian people.

The Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica is renowned for its high concentration of centenarians, attributed to several key lifestyle factors:

Simple, Plant-Based Diet: The traditional Nicoyan diet is rich in beans, corn, squash, and tropical fruits, providing essential nutrients and antioxidants.
Strong Community Ties: Close-knit family structures and active participation in community events foster emotional support and a sense of belonging.
Natural Physical Activity: Daily routines incorporate physical labor, such as farming and household chores, promoting cardiovascular health and overall well-being.

These elements, supported by Blue Zones research, underscore the lifestyle practices contributing to the longevity observed among Nicoyans (bluezones.com).

Vilcabamba, nestled in Ecuador’s Andes, is famed for its residents’ reputed longevity, often attributed to:

Mineral-Rich Water: The area’s rivers, notably the Chamba and Uchima, are rich in iron, contributing to residents’ vitality.
Rural Lifestyle: Daily physical activity, including farming and walking, promotes health (latimes.com).
Fresh Local Foods: Diets rich in corn, beans, potatoes, and fruits support well-being.

However, scientific studies have questioned these claims, suggesting that age exaggeration and migration patterns may account for the perceived longevity.

Bama County in Guangxi Province, China, is renowned for its high number of centenarians, attributed to several key factors:

Mountainous Environment: The region’s natural beauty and clean air contribute to residents’ overall well-being.
Plant-Based Diet: The traditional diet is rich in vegetables, beans, and grains, providing essential nutrients.
Sustained Physical Activity: Daily activities such as farming and walking promote cardiovascular health and overall vitality. (chinadaily.com.).

State-backed Chinese longevity studies have explored these factors, highlighting the interplay between genetics, environment, and lifestyle in contributing to the exceptional longevity observed in Bama.

The Cretan diet, a cornerstone of the Mediterranean lifestyle, is renowned for its health benefits, particularly in promoting longevity. Key components include:

Olive Oil: As the primary fat source, olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, contributing to heart health.
Wild Greens and Vegetables: A variety of fresh, seasonal produce provides essential nutrients and antioxidants.
Moderate Wine Consumption: Typically consumed with meals, moderate wine intake is associated with cardiovascular benefits.
Relaxed Lifestyle: Daily physical activity and strong community ties contribute to overall well-being (mdpi.com).

Studies have consistently linked these dietary and lifestyle practices to improved health outcomes and increased life expectancy among Cretans.

Before European colonization, the Māori people of New Zealand exhibited robust health and physical fitness, attributed to several key factors:

Wild Harvesting: The Māori diet was rich in wild foods, including fish, seals, shellfish, inanga (whitebait), eels, whales, dolphins, seaweed, and a variety of edible vegetation such as ferns, vines, palms, fungi, and berries. This diverse diet provided essential nutrients and supported overall health.
Communal Societies: Māori communities were organized into iwi (tribes) and hapū (sub-tribes), fostering strong social bonds and collective responsibility. This communal structure contributed to mental well-being and social cohesion.
Traditional Diets: The Māori consumed a balanced diet that included protein from kiore (Polynesian rat) and kurī (Polynesian dog), and a wide range of birds, including the large flightless moa. The sea, lakes, and waterways provided fish, seals, shellfish, inanga (whitebait), eels, whales, dolphins, seaweed, and a variety of edible vegetation such as ferns, vines, palms, fungi, and berries. This diverse diet provided essential nutrients and supported overall health.

However, the arrival of Europeans introduced new diseases such as measles, influenza, and tuberculosis, to which the Māori had no immunity, leading to significant population decline. Additionally, the loss of land and disruption of traditional social structures had lasting impacts on Māori health and well-being (Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand).

The Amish community in Pennsylvania exhibits notably low rates of chronic diseases, attributed to several lifestyle factors:

Manual Labor: Daily physical activities, including farming and manual tasks, contribute to lower obesity rates and reduced incidence of cardiovascular diseases.
Minimal Processed Food: A diet rich in homegrown produce and limited processed foods supports better overall health.
Stable Families and Close-Knit Culture: Strong family structures and community support systems enhance mental well-being and may reduce stress-related health issues.

These factors collectively contribute to the Amish community’s health profile, offering insights into lifestyle influences on chronic disease prevalence (pubmed.gov).

The Kitavan people of Papua New Guinea are renowned for their exceptional health and longevity, attributed to several key lifestyle factors:

Unprocessed, High-Fiber Diet: Their diet is rich in unprocessed foods, including tubers, fruits, and fish, providing high fiber and essential nutrients. This dietary pattern is associated with low rates of obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
Low Rates of Obesity: The Kitavans exhibit minimal obesity, with studies indicating that less than 1% of the adult population is obese. This is linked to their active lifestyle and traditional diet.
Strong Community Life: The Kitavan society is characterized by strong social bonds and communal living, which contribute to mental well-being and overall health.

These factors, supported by cross-cultural nutritional research, underscore the role of traditional diets and lifestyles in promoting health and longevity (bluezones.com).