Human Populations with Extreme Longevities

This chapter aims to provide an overview of the most recent studies aimed at unravelling the reason why some populations living in areas known as blue zones (BZ) exhibit much longer survival at old ages than others, such as the people of Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), Nicoya (Costa Rica) and Ikaria (Greece). After presenting some historical details on the identification of these long-lived populations, it will discuss hypotheses and findings concerning the potential biological determinants (genetics, epigenetics and hormones) of these exceptional longevities, as well as the environmental context (lifestyle and nutrition) and social-cultural factors (such as socialization through family ties and solidarity).