Could gardening help us live longer lives?
Blue zones are the places in the world with highest number of centenarians (someone who is 100 years or older). These places have been studied to figure out how the lifestyles lived in these places could help the rest of us live longer.
They include Loma Linda of California (USA), Sardinia (Italy), Okinawa (Japan), Nicoya Peninsula (Costa Rica), and Ikaria (Greece).
While there might be some factors in these places we cannot replicate, like environment or genetics, there might be some things people eat or do in these places that we can all adopt, to help improve our chances of a long life.
One important element of blue zones lifestyles is gardening. The centenarians in blue zones are often active in their gardens into older age, getting outside daily to dig, water, tend to plants and possibly most importantly, harvest fresh fruit and vegetables, which form a key part of their diet.
Being active
Gardening is good for us because it is a form of gentle physical activity. Physical activity can promote the health of our hearts, bodies and minds. So, whether you are turning compost, wandering the garden with a watering can or digging with a spade, you are being physically active, which could support your health long-term.
Eating fruit, vegetables & herbs
Growing your own fruit and vegetables might make you more likely to eat them. A diet high in fruit and vegetables can help lower the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. When you grow your own herbs, you can make use of them in the kitchen. Flavouring foods with herbs (like parsley), spices (like ground coriander seeds) and juice from lemons or limes means you can have delicious food, without needing to add salt. Eating too much salt can promote high blood pressure, which can be a risk factor for heart disease.
Supporting emotional health
Gardening might even help emotional wellbeing. A recent study actually found those with a vegetable garden reported higher levels of emotional wellbeing from gardening than those with ornamental or decorative gardens (gardens with non-edible bushes, flowers and shrubs) (1).
There are many benefits to gardening and it could be any or all of these factors that play a role in supporting longer lives in Blue Zones. Clearly gardening is a worthwhile past time for long-term health and happiness – no matter your current age.
– Alexis (FFH team) 🌱
(1) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204619307297
Food from Home 