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Health

Why the world’s longevity hotspots may not be all they seem

Blue zones, places home to an unusual number of centenarians, are looked to for their secrets to living healthier lives – but are they even real?

By Helen Thomson

27 February 2025

Shimmering blue waters off the coast of Ogliastra, Italy

guteksk7/Alamy

Walk the shores of Ogliastra in Sardinia, an Italian island with crystal-clear waters and pink hillside flowers, and you’ll see families eating fresh fish, people working the land and older couples strolling the hills.

You might also see an unusual number of centenarians. This area of Italy is one of three Sardinian provinces that make up a blue zone – a handful of regions in the world with a disproportionately high number of exceptionally older people. These areas are highly prized by researchers keen to uncover the genetic and…

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