Top 10 States Most Likely To Develop ‘Blue Zone’ Where People Will Live The Longest

What contributes to living a long and healthy life? It could be beneficial to inquire with the people living in a 'Blue Zone,' where life expectancy is unusually high.

There are only a few places worldwide that are considered Blue Zones, and these include Italy, Greece, Japan, Costa Rica, and one in the United States. These areas have exceptional longevity among their residents.

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While how long someone lives is influenced by genetics and luck, common factors in Blue Zones suggest that lifestyle choices can also impact longevity.

There is a possibility that more states in the United States could become Blue Zones in the future.

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To understand this, it's helpful to know the current locations of Blue Zones. These include Icaria (a Greek island), Ogliastra on the island of Sardinia in Italy, Okinawa in Japan, the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, and Loma Linda in California.

One noticeable similarity among these places is their climate, as they all receive a lot of sunshine.

Another common factor is their proximity to the sea, with three of the five located on islands and the remaining two being coastal.

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Considering the factors influencing the development of a 'Blue Zone,' researchers analyzed rates of depression and anxiety, sleep quality, physical activity, population density, meat-free food options, and life expectancy. 

California ranked highest, and following closely, the state with the second-highest likelihood of becoming a Blue Zone was Minnesota. 

The top five were completed by Utah, North Carolina, and Massachusetts. The full list is provided below.

In the comparison, California received a score of 7.03 out of ten, as evaluated by the researchers.

As we move down the ranking to the fifth position with Massachusetts and Maryland, the score decreases to 6.31.

New York, unfortunately, didn't perform well in the ranking, securing the 30th position with a score of 4.82.

However, the least favorable rating among the 49 entries was given to Kentucky, with an extremely low score of just 2.32. This state faces challenges like low life expectancy, poor sleep quality, and high rates of depression.

On a broader scale, the United States is placed at number 47 in the global ranking of countries with the longest life expectancy. The top three positions are held by Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, Hawaii boasts the highest life expectancy among U.S. states at 80.7, while Mississippi has the lowest at 71.9.

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Here is the complete list of U.S. states most likely to develop Blue Zones:

1. California
2. Minnesota
3. Utah
4. North Carolina
5. Massachusetts
6. Maryland
7. Virginia
8. Connecticut
9. Rhode Island
10. Colorado