Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones

Documentary Series by Dan Buettner (Netflix, 2023)

A four-part series following a National Geographic researcher through Okinawa, Sardinia, Costa Rica, and other “Blue Zones” (communities known for exceptional longevity) to learn how their plant-heavy diets, daily movement, close-knit social ties, and sense of purpose help people live vibrant, healthy lives into their 90s and beyond. This series beautifully bridges hard science with soulful lifestyle practices. Viewers see elders gardening, cooking traditional meals, eating until 80% full, and gathering with neighbours, offering a non-fad roadmap of gentle nutrition and living in rhythm with nature. It’s culturally rich (with stories from Asia, Europe, the Americas) and emphasizes connection and moderation over perfection. For a North American audience, it’s inspiring rather than prescriptive; you come away asking, “Which of these longevity secrets–like enjoying beans and greens, or sharing meals with friends–could I weave into my life?”. The documentary page on Netflix can be found here.