Costa Rica Expedition Day 2

"We discovered today that looking good in a bathing suit isn’t the only reason to stay in shape.

Yesterday, the online audience voted that I tackle the question of why Nicoyans are enjoying such lower levels of obesity than the rest of Costa Rica. So today I joined the team’s Docs — demographer Michel Poulain and longevity expert Gianni Pes — conducting health surveys of local nonaterians --- those over 90 years old --- and centenarians. It was a long, hot day, full of hundreds of questions, measurements and tests. My eyes glazed over just watching, but fortunately the 97-year-olds demonstrating their level of physical fitness seemed to be having a blast."

"Centenarians in other Blue Zones eat low-calorie diets, and rarely over indulge. In Okinawa they call it “hara hachi bu,” eat until you’re 80% full. A 1958 cultural study of Nicoya confirms that a similar practice is part of the traditional diet here. After a day of working in the fields, Nicoyans ate a light, simple supper of rice, beans, tortillas, and the occasional egg at dusk. Nutritional evaluations from 1969 and 1978 indicate Nicoyans consumed the fewest amount of calories nationwide — as much as 20 percent less than other regions.

Are Nicoyans living longer because of regular physical activity and a caloric restricted diet? Maybe yes, maybe no — our surveys of this area are nowhere near complete enough to make a definite conclusion.

But walking down the streets full of lean physiques, pretty Ticas in tank tops and broad-shouldered cowboys in tight jeans, it’s obvious they’re doing something right."

SEE THE VIDEO HERE