When in Rome…Why Italian Nonnas (Grandmothers) May Outlive Us All
Italy in Spring
I am not going to lie, I love doing as the Italian’s do.
Italy was selected as one of the five countries where people live significantly longer and healthier than average and was deemed a Blue Zone. While not in Rome, I have immersed myself in Milan, Lake Como, the Dolomiti Mountains, Lake Garda, Vicenza and Verona. Each region has its own rich culture and local cuisine, but I see how thoroughly the Italian environment fosters a healthy lifestyle. Not perfect, but I wasn’t too surprised at the tech report saying my resting heart rate was significantly lower than average.
Ahhh…. Italiano!
Understanding Blue Zones
Blue Zones are regions where people live significantly longer and healthier lives than average. Intrigued by what is known about longevity and more specifically what contributes toward living a long AND sharp-minded life, I have read and followed Dan Buettner’s quest to delve into this topic. Buettner, an author, adventure junky, and longevity researcher, paired up with National Geographic and the National Institute of Aging which led to the discovery of five regions whose people are renowned for long and healthy lives.
Identified by Dan Buettner and his team, these areas include Sardinia (Italy), Okinawa (Japan), Nicoya (Costa Rica), Ikaria (Greece), and Loma Linda (USA). Research suggests that lifestyle factors, rather than genetics, account for 80% of longevity outcomes, emphasizing the importance of environment, diet, and social habits12. The good news is that puts us in the driver’s seat, and also responsible for the nature of our demise. I would much rather have a strong role in my destiny, than be doomed by my inherited traits.
Here is where it gets tricky.
The most interesting finding to me is the importance of community in longevity.
“What has been found is that putting the responsibility of curating a healthy environment on an individual does not work, but through policy and environmental changes the Blue Zones Project Communities have been able to increase life expectancy, reduce obesity and make the healthy choice the easy choice for millions of Americans.” - Beuttner and Skemp
We are largely in control of the quality and quantity of our life, but our environment is also crucial to successfully living a healthy lifestyle. As with anything, if it becomes too hard, most people quit. (So how are those New Year’s Resolutions coming?)
It has been refreshing to see healthy choices made easy in Italy.
Italy's Role in Blue Zone Studies
Italy is home to one of the original Blue Zones: Sardinia. However, Northern Italy also exhibits remarkable longevity. So I simply could not help but do a field trip! Regions like Trentino-South Tyrol and Lombardy have some of the highest life expectancies in the country, with women living up to 86 years on average 4. While not officially designated as a Blue Zone, Northern Italy shares many lifestyle characteristics with Sardinia that promote longevity.
Key Lifestyle Factors in Northern Italy
Diet
The Mediterranean diet dominates, emphasizing fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and olive oil. Red meat and processed foods are consumed sparingly 67.
Dairy products, particularly from sheep and goats, provide unique health benefits due to their nutrient profiles 10.
Antipasta with a local smoked cheese, tomatoes, and olives, pasta with fresh asparagus, and red wine.
ZTL zone in Lake Garda where cars are limited. Pedestrian traffic takes precedence.
Social Structure
Strong family ties and community networks are central. Elders are respected and often cared for within family settings, fostering emotional well-being and a sense of purpose 1013.
Leisurely Pace
A balanced approach to work and leisure reduces stress levels. This cultural norm aligns with the "downshifting" practices observed in other Blue Zones 513.
Blue zones are characterized by lifestyle choices (Canva and author's photos)
I have personally seen each of these factors at play. Witnessing the transition to spring in Italy, has been its own source of cultural education from watching skiers on alpine runs enjoying the last snow of the season to fields emerging on hillsides. The apple orchards are flowering, spring bulbs are blooming, and new garden beds are being prepared for a new crop in almost every town I have passed through. I have seen many young and old out in the fields walking and plowing. One gentleman had a cane in one hand and a hoe in the other.
Terraced fields of lemons and oranges are already bearing fruit around Lake Garda, and extensive olive trees fill the hillsides. Stopping for a basket of fresh fragole (strawberries) and arance (oranges) remind me of the all too brief peach stands near Palisade Colorado, and are just as sumptuous. Pride in their fresh harvests is clear. Fruits and vegetables are ripe when picked and full of flavor. I have not seen a single fast food drive-through, and to be honest, completely avoid the few McDonald’s Golden Arches signs that pop up occasionally along the road. Instead, I head for bakeries, osteria’s, and ristorantes that take immense pride in their creations.
In these places, I see families and friends of multiple generations gathering for meals. Laughter is abundant and conversations are animated. Making fast friends at communal tables has been a favorite, and as we moved from Madonna di Campiglio to other regions, our favorite waiter gave us hugs and well wishes for our travels. I was stunned at how warmly we were welcomed regardless of where we stopped or how badly we fumbled our Italian.
Easter is around the corner, and the church bells often ring on the hour. Older women and men hike and bike in droves sometimes alone and sometimes walking with a dog or friends carrying an olive branch from the last mass. There is a dynamic feel to the energy in the city and countryside, and yet the pace is primarily one of relaxation.
The roadways are another story, however. Seeing tiny Fiats hurtle around corners like Mario Andretti is behind the wheel is a thing to behold! These locals don’t blink at the narrow hairpin roads and will tailgate without hesitation. That is one arena where I could use some Italian courage. Being pushed to go far over the speed limit on a goat trail next to a cliff with a steep dropoff is not restful. They seem to have little to no fear, but I’m sure they have most of those roads memorized.
Comparative Insights: Northern Italy vs. Other Blue Zones
All in all, I see why life is good in Northern Italy.
Northern Italy exemplifies how a Mediterranean lifestyle—rooted in wholesome diets, physical activity, strong social bonds, moderate alcohol (Red Wine or the occasional afternoon Aperol Spritz) and reduced stress (mostly)—can contribute to exceptional longevity. While not officially a Blue Zone like Sardinia, its practices align closely with the principles observed globally in long-lived populations.
Given the crucial role of the community in “making the healthy choice the easy choice”, I think we have a responsibility to think hard about our own role in the health of those around us.
Because, if it means living like an Italian, I could get used to this!
On top of the Duomo in Milan Italy after climbing countless steps up a tower. I earned my Gelato!
Citations
Blue Zones: Lessons From the World's Longest Lived." PMC, 7 July 2016.
What Are Blue Zones?" MPI for Biology of Ageing, 18 April 2017.
The Secrets of Sardinia's Blue Zone." Butterfield & Robinson.
Life Expectancy at Birth in Italy 2023." Statista, 30 August 2024.
Sardinia: The Island of Longevity." Marisma Biomed, 27 October 2024.
The Sardinian Diet: 10 Recipes for Longevity." Posha, 13 February 2025.
Is Cilento an Uncharted 'Blue Zone'?" News-Medical.net, 6 March 2024.
Sardinia: Italy's Blue Zone." America Domani.