Diets are all the craze right now! If there's food that can help you remain healthy, then it seems people are willing to travel vast distances to taste it. Case in point, Nicoya Peninsula , one of the Earth's five original Blue Zones where people regularly outlive Americans by a decade with the help of generations-old dishes made with whole and natural ingredients.

Here, the food is prepared the old-fashioned way, preserving its natural flavours and nutritional values while avoiding additives, chemicals or artificial enhancements.

Why is the Nicoya Peninsula special?


According to the BBC, the average lifespan in this peninsula is 85, yet many residents live for decades beyond that. In fact, the number of centenarians in the region is about three and a half times the global average.

A huge credit for this health and longevity goes to their diet. According to a 2024 study analysing the diets and health of 2827 Costa Ricans aged 60 and up over 15 years to find that those who ate a traditional diet had a significantly lower risk of death from any cause.

What is the diet?


The Blue Zone diet follows the 'golden trio' of corn, beans and squash which provide a balanced mix of complex carbohydrates, plant-based protein and fiber. Additionally, the diet is complemented by a low consumption of red meat and animal fats with locals opting for natural sources like avocado and seeds.

Not only their food, their water is also rich in high levels of calcium and magnesium, minerals that help prevent heart disease and strengthen bones. This kind of nutritional approach supports cardiovascular, digestive, and metabolic health, leading to a longer and healthier life.

According to the American Institute of Cancer Research, the Blue Zone diet includes lots of fruits and vegetables. The Centenarians include at least half a cup of lentils, chickpeas, soy and beans daily and eat red meat just a few times a month. Nuts, whole grains such as wheat, barley and oats are popular choices as well.

Nicoya is one of the five such Blue Zones on earth, with others being Okinawa, Japan, Ikaria, Greece, Sardinia, Italy, and Loma Linda, California.