GIVE ME TOMATOES AND RED WINE NOW!

There is no sure fire way to guarantee longevity of life.

This was an obsession for our distant ancestors which was not surprising given their realisation that their lives were short and many sought the elixir or formula to prolong their time on the planet. This was ultimately futile and the average life expectancy took many centuries to attain that which the majority of us take for granted, fingers crossed that is.

In my working life I have come across a few very elderly residents, the last one being a grand and feisty lady called Edith who had just received her telegram of congratulations from Her Majesty for reaching the centenary. I asked her what had given her such a long life in my bid to piece together my own secret recipe just in case I reached my four score years and ten and fancied a little bit longer. She attributed her case to not being killed in the war, being a non-smoker and taking a tipple of Stout Ale now and again. I was happy to share at least one of those attributes.

It now appears that scientists have identified, either through extensive research or extended vacations, at least five places in the world where people live longer than anywhere else. These are Loma Linda in California, Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, Ikaria in Greece, Okinawa in Japan and Sardinia just off the coast of Italy. The residents of the island of Sardinia are ten times more likely to live to be 100 than anywhere else.

Nine factors were seen to be behind this phenomena including red wine, family ties, zero stress, an island lifestyle, lots of tomatoes, goats cheese, religious faith, hard work and favourable genes. That last one trumps all in my opinion as without a pre-disposition to longevity you are stuffed. Sardinian males carry the M26 gene which increases the survival rate to a one to one parity with the female population whereas the ratio is usually four women to one man.

Genetics are  thought to form only 25% of the ability to enjoy a prolonged life with an equivalent influence exerted by exercise, diet, positive outlook and a sense of community. The Sardinian residents are always on the go, working hard well into senior years and used to walking many miles to their workplaces and back every day.

The diet is surprisingly low on red meat and seafood with a high proportion of vegetables and beans washed down with a small glass of red wine. The local tipple has high levels of polyphenols which act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. Sheep and Goat's milk and cheese are also prominent in the daily meals as well as mushroom stuffed pasta and tomatoes.

An active elderly life is a natural occurence in the Sardinian society along with the respect of their communities for their experience and wisdom. Devout Catholicism also apparently helps with one local stating that "when you're involved in something that is bigger than you, you have a reason to live another year because you make plans that you want to see through".