Scientists are fascinated by a small town in Italy called Acciaroli. There, the food is fresh, the rosemary is abundant, and the residents live a long time – in a town of 700 people, more than 70 of them are 100 years old!
Unlike people in the US, these sprightly elders in Italy do not suffer from heart disease, obesity, Alzheimer’s, or cataracts.
What is going on here?!
Scientists spent six months in the area and analyzed blood samples from the residents. They agreed on three leading factors that could explain this abnormal longevity:
1. Fresh Food
People in Acciaroli cultivate their food. They catch fish, raise rabbits and chickens, grow crops, and produce olive oil. Everything they eat is fresh, and scientists think this is a contributing factor to
2. Rosemary
All of the locals eat rosemary. Rosemary for days! Rosemary is known to help improve brain function, and this is an area of interest for scientists studying the Acciaroli community.
3. Sex
In their study, they call it “physical activity,” but we’re going to call it for what it is. Sex. Scientists noticed that sexual activity among the elderly community is “rampant.”
To fully understand longevity within the Acciaroli community, scientists want to conduct more research.
What do you think? Do people in Acciaroli live long because of fresh food, rosemary, sex, or all three?
Sources:
Banner photo by wonsung jang on Unsplash
Story by Independent
