Dan Buettner, a National Geographic Fellow and author of numerous scholarly articles concerning the subject of longevity, has shared his insights on the optimal frequency for meat consumption to achieve a lifespan exceeding 100 years. The Daily Mail has presented his viewpoints.
The article specifies that Buettner conducted research across five “Blue Zones,” recognized as areas with the highest concentration of centenarians: Okinawa in Japan, Sardinia in Italy, Nicoya in Costa Rica, Ikaria in Greece, and Loma Linda in the USA.
Buettner made the discovery that the majority of long-livers in these zones are not vegans; they do not completely abstain from meat. However, they avoid the opposite extreme as well; meat does not form the core of their diet, as they consume it in moderation. Evidence from these areas suggests that these centenarians incorporate meat into their meals just once or twice weekly, while simultaneously consuming large quantities of vegetables, fruits, greens, nuts, and seeds.
In summary, Buettner suggests that for ideal health maintenance, one should aim for about one serving of meat daily, noting that overconsumption of even this beneficial food item elevates the risk of developing chronic illnesses.
The author of the piece draws attention to another crucial aspect: the diets favored by these long-livers are rich in legumes, leafy greens, and unrefined carbohydrates—foods that contribute to lowering the incidence of chronic diseases by mitigating inflammation levels. The direct consequence of such a sensible dietary approach is a notable extension of lifespan.
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