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Blue Zones Myth: Questionable Centenarian Records Challenge Longevity Claims

Blue zones' fame for longevity is being called into question. Inaccuracies in age claims and fraud allegations cast doubt on the authenticity of these records.

In this image, we can see some green color trees, there are some homes and buildings, there is a...
In this image, we can see some green color trees, there are some homes and buildings, there is a sea and there is water in blue color.

Blue Zones Myth: Questionable Centenarian Records Challenge Longevity Claims

The 'blue zones' concept, promising healthy aging and longevity through lifestyle factors, has gained popularity worldwide. However, a closer examination of these regions reveals discrepancies and doubts about the authenticity of centenarian records.

In the US, only 7 out of over 500 supposedly over 110-year-olds had a birth certificate, raising questions about the accuracy of these claims. The blue zones concept, popularized by Dan Buettner, suggests that regions like Sardinia and Ikaria have unusually high numbers of centenarians. However, Eurostat data from 1990 does not support this, as these regions do not rank high in life expectancy at old age.

The myth of blue zones is further called into question when examining Okinawa. Despite its reputation as an island of centenarians, official data does not support this claim. A search for a researcher named Saul Justin Newman, who allegedly presented a 2010 analysis of documented centenarians, proved fruitless, with no evidence of such an analysis or figures on erroneous or falsified records. War-related destruction of archives, register inconsistencies, and poverty in Okinawa contribute to age claim discrepancies. In Japan, including Okinawa, 82% of supposedly over 100-year-olds were already deceased in 2010. Moreover, there are indications of pension fraud involving centenarians in Greece and Italy.

The blue zones concept, while promoting healthy lifestyle habits, faces criticism due to questionable centenarian records. Inaccuracies in age claims, possibly due to factors like war destruction, register inconsistencies, and fraud, challenge the authenticity of these records. Further investigation is needed to clarify the true extent of longevity in these regions.

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