- A study by the University of Illinois Chicago has identified the Italian village of Bolotana in Sardinia as a potential new longevity hotspot, documenting 38 centenarians born between 1900 and 1925.
- Women in the mountainous village who reach the age of 70 have a life expectancy of 91, making them three times more likely to reach 100 than their American counterparts.
- Almost 14 per cent of female residents in Bolotana who reach age 70 live to 100, compared with around 3.5 per cent across Italy and 3.6 per cent in the US.
- Researchers independently verified the exceptionally high longevity rates using historic municipal and baptismal records dating back centuries.
- Scientists suspect the exceptional lifespans are influenced by a local diet, regular walking on steep streets, genetic factors, and strong social connections within the community.
IN FULL
Potential new ‘blue zone’ where people live to unusually old ages discovered in Europe
