User reviews

Blue Zones got their label from when they were marked with blue ink on the map to indicate areas with high proportion of centenarians. Dan Buettner, a National Geographic writer and bestselling author, takes viewers to Blue Zones all over the world - Okinawa Japan, Sardinia Italy, Ikaria Greece, Nikoya Costa Rica, Loma Linda California and Singapore - to find secrets to long and healthy living.

The tips he found have been in our consciousness for as long as I can remember - healthy food and lifestyle, sense of purpose and relationships, but his presentation brings all of these more into focus.

The most interesting aspect for me are the efforts to apply these tips in the US, like the experiment in Albert Lea, Minnesota. It would really help if the government provides boosts, like providing pedestrian lanes to encourage walking, providing public transport like trains and buses to discourage dependence on cars, or giving housing incentives to children who choose to live near elderly parents. Not only will people have healthier, longer and happier lives, the government would not have to spend as much for healthcare. Everyone wins.

To be honest, one thing that quite annoyed me is the pretentious of being a scientifical documentary, there are few flaws for instance correlation does not equal to casualties, in addition the city that he uses as examples plenty of them that are really small bellow (50 thousands persons), and this is a problem due to the size of the sample. But disregarding this, it is impressive the amount of work that the author has done and how he seeks to connect these hypotheses on something practical, such as the project of "blue zones" that seeks to improve the life expectancy in a specific city.

Overral, the documentary is quite interesting the only caveat it isn't rigorous on being a scientific study.

Well produced documentary which backs up other research such as active healthy life style, social belonging and community along with the importance of keeping stress levels low.

However nutritionally it's false- the guy pushes his own Vegan and vegetarian agenda, massively over emphasising that diet, claiming all the blue zones are primarily vegan/vegetarian!! The only one this is true for is the evangelical church community in America- ALL the others have meat and dairy in healthy portions as part of a well balanced diet. They do consume a lot of good healthy foods but overall less calories!

Meat and diary are not evil and not eating them will not guarantee you live longer.

Otherwise a good and interesting documentary- basically shaming the modern western world we live in that is stressful, lazy and lonely - it's those things that are killing us early.

This is what happens when good intentions get distracted by a large ego. Facts are bundled together after which subjective conclusions are stretched way too far - all while falsely implying "a scientific seal of approval".

It's a shame. If kept on the "rhetorical straight and narrow" - "Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones" - would have presented some interesting hypotheses alongside the possibility to believe there is a viable way forward, "believe" being the operative word. Dan Buettner's use of over-rhetoric throughout, likely, undermines most critical viewers ability to engage in his theories.

NetFlix' initial disclaimer "The following series is designed to entertain and inform - not to provide medical or health advice." is foreboding of what is about to follow. That sentence, pretty much indicates "the issues with this series"; it presents beliefs in a way that deceptively resemble facts. Beliefs are fine, if you want to adhere to them - but that should be by free choice not by implying factuality. If the disclaimer didn't give it away, the introduction provides further hints; "They all follow roughly the exact same formula".

The use of "roughly" and "exactly" as descriptive in the same sentence is fine example of what unfolds as a whole - blurryness. The "trick" that is being pulled is by means of an "old and proven recipe"; put forth a mulitude of facts, draw some uncorroborated conclusion and then wrap them up together, and present them as "sort of scientific".

Dan Buettner appears earnest in his beliefs - his attempts to package said beliefs in "an air of science" less so. He definitely comes across more as a preacher than a scientist. The frequently used over rhetoric doesn't naturally peg him in any part of the scientific community.

It's a shame... the subject being addressed is, arguably, important and the effort put in seemingly great. Much good work (and some bad) is done on a belief basis - it's a shame Buttner doesn't show it for what it is.

Change your environment and you change the people within it. These are concepts that most people know, but fail to put into practice. We have the power to live longer, happier and healthier lives, we just need to promote it and "nudge" each other forward, but backwards, with our public policy. Eat healthier, connect with each other, stay active and value our family members of all ages. It can be done. We will all be better for it.

Dan presents the case studies in the first 3 episodes and then the examples of how to duplicate them in the last one. It isn't difficult, we have to focus on the goal. What is good for all of us is good for all of us.

It's refreshing to see a documentary on longevity done so well! They cover so many different locations and focus on other areas of life that are responsible for it instead of digging deep into just the food science behind it all.

What sets it apart is its ability to make complex scientific topics accessible to a general audience. It employs clear explanations, expert commentary, and visuals to ensure that even viewers without prior knowledge of these subjects can follow along.

The documentary also delves into the cultural and societal factors that contribute to longevity. It introduces the concept of "Blue Zones," regions around the world known for their high number of centenarians, and explores how community, diet, and lifestyle play a crucial role in extending life.

A notable strength of the film is its focus on actionable takeaways. It doesn't just provide information; it offers practical advice on how individuals can increase their own chances of living longer, healthier lives. From dietary recommendations to exercise routines and stress management techniques, "Live to 100" offers a roadmap to better living.

Visually, the documentary is a treat. The cinematography skillfully captures the vitality of centenarians and the beauty of Blue Zones landscapes. These visuals enhance the storytelling and provide a compelling backdrop to the film's exploration of longevity.

In summary, It's is a valuable addition to Netflix's documentary lineup. It combines scientific rigor with storytelling, making it accessible to a wide audience. Whether you're interested in the science of aging, seeking inspiration for a healthier lifestyle, or simply curious about the quest for a longer life, this documentary offers something for everyone. It's a reminder that with knowledge and conscious choices, the dream of living a longer, more fulfilling life is within reach for many.

I can see why some people didn't like this. The revelations appear "too simple" and in many cases go against the way most of us are living our modern lives. There is no magic pill or easy solution for maintaining vitality. Perhaps that's why this didn't resonate with some viewers. If you come into this with the expectation of learning about a miracle drug or super food that scientists are just now researching the benefits of, you're going to be disappointed.

Instead, it's a reminder of the truths all of humanity instinctively knows, yet in many parts of the world, has been conditioned to ignore (or actively chose to reject). The reporter shares his honest findings (again, not necessarily any earth-shattering revelations), and while the concepts are simple, implementation isn't necessarily easy.

In the pursuit of growth, convenience, and personal success, we've overcomplicated our lives to our own detriment. It may be an uncomfortable watch at times, as the viewer faces the dissonance between their lifestyle and the lifestyles of those living in blue zones. That being said, overall it's an informative series that not only sheds light on the "secrets" of centenarians, but also provides accessible ways for almost every person to implement these practices into their own lives.

It seems that at least one reviewer didn't catch that the blue zone in Okinawa isn't the whole island, rather just a small section, so his comparison to another researchers findings makes no sense. What is really interesting is that it apppears that each blue zone seems to have different habits that all lead to the same result: being healthy and living longer.

Anyway, this is an excellent short series that is well worth a watch. I am far more conscious of health issues than my husband is, but even he loved this documentary. I am a healthy eater, but he really is not, unless I force the issue. While neither of us necessarily wants to live to a hundred (or beyond), after watching this, he is interested in changing his diet, and that's a win for me!!

I'm always very interested in health documentaries. Some are ahead of their time like fat sick and nearly dead or cowspiracy, and others are a little bit of a rehash of the things that hopefully most people over 40 already know. This one falls somewhere in the middle but is very important for young adults and children to understand. It meanders its way through the centurions like The China Study did. What we need to do though is look at why are people expiring earlier. We hear about things like diabetes and cancer and obesity. Why do we have those when Okinawa doesn't and Greece doesn't? The answer is processed food and stressful living in what we politely call a free market Society. Free market unfortunately means that I can sell you anything as long as you will buy it, and if I find enough loopholes I can sell you things that are not up to standards, as well. When the US government developed processed packaged Foods for boots on the ground, they knew that it wasn't viable for health long-term. This documentary in the beginning starts telling us that the FDA guided us to a higher caloric intake, but what really happened in my mind is that when they subsidized farms and corn and we started having an overabundance of cheap processed food then the FDA changed the food chart to reflect that we should consume more of these processed foods. Although processed meat is listed as a carcinogenic, for instance, it is still actually part of the ACS's list of things to eat on a balanced diet. So there's just a lot of lobbying mixed in with marketing in our society and very little honest information. This series seems to barely touch on that. But it does reveal the fact that a simpler life is the answer to health. And that covers everything I've just said because in a simpler life we eat what is fondly called whole foods- a term that comes from the vegan and raw foods culture. As an American I can honestly say that I watched these elders in Okinawa and I felt a little envy. We definitely don't have the respect and responsibility that they have toward our elders. In a world driven by social media I think this is a very welcome series. Do I have any criticism of the series itself? Not really, I mean yes but not enough that it needs to be put in text here. I highly recommend the series to watch with your family, to remind yourself of what is truly healthy, or to learn what longevity would look like and try to understand how we can Implement some of these things into our lives. It does mention the irony of the United States becoming so health conscious and yet being more and more unhealthy. But also in the beginning of this series it mentions that we are kind of looking at it the cart before the horse where we're looking to cure our problems instead of prevent them. Nine solid Stars. There can never be too many of this type of documentary. I'm not clear on why this review was declined 3x , it doesn't go against any policy. Maybe the people declining need to be reminded the reviews are just personal opinion and don't require a medical disclaimer or your personal approval.

Wonderfully presented documentary and essential viewing for those wanting to live a long, healthy, happy and mindful life. The documentary starts by highlighting and travelling to various locations around the world where a particularly high number of people are living to 100 years and more. The film documents numerous ways in which longevity in life can be achieved and how you can live a long, happy and enjoyable life. Finally the documentary ventures into the prospect of the possible to create these so called blue zones by changing societal factors within cities and even nations and how changes can be implemented in the future.

I felt like the reviewer did a lot of traveling to the places he was talking about which was important. And he talked to individuals who had lived there and to their families and friends as well. I am not sure if he discovered anything new or not because most of us know that if we don't eat the right thing and don't exercise and don't take care of our self we're not gonna have a quality of life or longevity. The most irritating thing for me was when he talked about the Seventh-day Adventist being an offshoot of Methodist which is not true at all. There was a woman who had visions and used to be a Methodist but became a Seventh-day Adventist and promoted that religion but she was not the original founder of that religion. I feel like sometimes he did not pay attention to facts but was very anecdotal. However, it's always good to encourage people to eat healthy and to take care of their self.

I know that people are STUBBORN. They will make any excuse possible to not give up their meats, their smoking, their drinking, their lack of exercise/movement, etc, especially by ignoring this show or even giving it a terrible review. But the show is clear, those things WILL kill you 99/100 much faster. I think what I enjoyed most about the series is the comprehensiveness of the blue zones. Each blue zone had it's own unique characteristics and Dan attempted to stay away from overlap if possible (of course there is some overlap). The pie graph was a super fun and helpful visual guide! Do I agree with absolutely everything? Not all of it, but most is common sense that many people don't want to hear. I hope the show continues to gain steam and increase viewers, so we can get a 2nd season!

Say it with me, "Association does not imply causation". That Buettner is a journalist, not a scientist, is painfully evident in the conviction with which he makes his statements and declarations. The series begins rather well with episode 1 looking at Okinawans, falters with episode 2 when the attention is turned unconvincingly towards Loma Linda, and finally crashes and burns in episode 4 where it becomes a propaganda piece for the authoritarian Singapore government.

For a program investigating centenarians, there are precious few of them featured here; I can recall only two, Giulia in Sardinia and Dora in Ikaria. Buettner revealed his ignorance of complex carbohydrates vs simple sugars when he called bread and pasta simple carbohydrates. His summary of the common factors across the five blue zones is also problematic - eating well, moving naturally, faith, purpose and connection. It disregards the benefits of structured exercise and things like yoga. People with an excess of faith sometimes reduce their life expectancy when they turn away from modern medicine.

Longevity comes down to two things: good physical health and good mental health. Contributors to good physical health include eating natural food and avoiding processed food, ample hydration, adequate sleep, regular physical activity and minimising stress. Contributors to good mental health include love and belonging, self-esteem, self-actualisation, regular physical activity and minimising stress. Modern urban life typically gets in the way of these, something that the centenarians did not have to contend with.

Life expectancy in Singapore increased due to a higher standard of living and modern medicine, like in many other nations. Australia has a similar environment to the United States - high reliance on automobiles and modern diet high in processed food - yet their overall life expectancy is still comparable to Singapore's and routinely in the world's top 10. Due to Singapore's highest cost of living in the world, its younger citizens are generally too stressed and overworked to ever have time for connection, play and spending with their parents. As a former Singaporean who moved to Australia to discover his identity and ikigai, I doubt Singapore will ever truly be a blue zone.

I started watching this just for some tips on being healthy. I did learn some tips, like eating whole foods from Okinawa. I also had the chance to virtually travel to countries and places all over the world and see how they lived, how they handled each and every day, and most importantly, what philosophy they had for life.

I began to realize this video was not only about staying healthy. It was about how to live more happily, including being fit, mentally strong, spiritually satisfied, and socially prosperous.

Perhaps it's too much to say this way and it's not guaranteed, but it can be a life-changing video.

Whether we live longer or not by following these advices, the series is very interesting and take us back to our roots and to take it further to live at least happy and thankful life. I would certainly forward this to as many people as possible, as these advices cannot be fulfilled unless they are followed as a group.

With great explanations, great examples and talking to many great people along the way make this series a very beautiful thread of beads of knowledge.

At least what I learned, we overcomplicate our lives, If we live with simplicity, we can be happier and live our life with less stress and fullest.

This series is filled with beautiful sights, valuable information and interesting people and places! My only caution is that you'll likely want to move to some of the amazing places that the excellent host visits! If nothing else, at least you'll be better informed and able to make wiser choices concerning your health! I'm tempted to go back an rewatch the whole thing and it has inspired me to be healthier and more self-sufficient by starting my own garden!

Great!

Amazing!

Awesome!

I'd love to see more episodes or better yet another season and sources for more info! It's no coincidence that.

The documentary "Blue Zones" follows Dan Buettner's journey as he explores different regions of the world known for their inhabitants' long and healthy lives. Buettner's collaboration with National Geographic allowed him to delve into the lifestyles, diets, and social connections of these communities in search of the secrets to longevity.

Throughout the documentary, Buettner uncovers fascinating insights and commonalities among these "Blue Zones." He highlights the importance of a plant-based diet, regular physical activity, and strong social connections as key factors contributing to the longevity of these communities.

One of the strengths of the documentary is its ability to transport viewers to these unique locations and showcase the daily lives of the individuals living in these Blue Zones. Through interviews and personal stories, viewers gain a deeper understanding of the cultural practices and values that contribute to the overall well-being of these communities.

Another notable aspect of the documentary is its emphasis on the role of community and social support in promoting longevity. Buettner highlights the importance of strong social connections and a sense of purpose in life as crucial elements in maintaining good health and longevity.

Overall, "Blue Zones" is an insightful and inspiring documentary that sheds light on the secrets to living a long and healthy life. It encourages viewers to adopt healthier lifestyle choices and prioritize meaningful connections with others.

I think it is incredibly generous for this man to use his great talent of "never giving up" towards helping the world's population live to 100. However, from the beginning, his "facts" and "research" drove me bonkers and I only watched the entire series WAITING for at least one reference to genetics in association with longevity, or anything new! No such luck.

The show takes longevity statistics and then attributes high age to only a few factors (the usual), diet, exercise, etc. Etc. Yet almost completely ignores or "glosses over" ANY other cause of death, such as accidents, crime, environment or, even, genetic predisposition to disease.

I was frustrated because the first three Blue Zones were somewhat isolated islands. The people living there had lived for generations on the diet, in the climate, with the same stress levels and amount of physical activity needed in order to survive for MANY generations. The man who was dying at a young age in the US, yet lived to 100 when he went back home, I think, is an indicator that he was perfectly adapted to live in that environment, which had taken, perhaps 100's of years and many generations to achieve. What is or was good for them, is good for them because they are adapted to it. The fourth was a deeply religious "colony", in tune with the Lord and listening to His advice, in every aspect of their lives, daily.

Then, suddenly, these original Blue Zones "disappeared". Was this because the statistics changed when the islands became modernized? Were they changed because of more pollution, more automobiles, more accidents, more crime? Or perhaps they were changed because so many people, who were not genetically predisposed to this environment, lifestyle and diet were flooding into this Blue Zone, hoping to live to 100 "via the air" (which they were actively, if not intentionally ruining) This was never explained.

The "success" areas are glossed over as well. The Singapore example shows, to me, extreme control of someone's life ("the government encourages us to exercise") and no real purpose for their lives. What is their ikigai? Other than living to 100 and exercising. They are, in effect, a retirement city/state. How are they contributing to world? I think, it was proven in the original Blue Zones, that this is a key factor that is missing from the Singapore example. They need a reason to live, and "we" need a reason for them to live as well.

The Ft. Worth example, heralded as success in this film, was "glossed over" as well. I have had a look at the website, and I see only young people featured there. I think the project is enhancing their lives, but I am not sure they are concerned about many of their current residents living to 100.

I got the most benefit from the first episodes describing the naturally occurring Blue Zones. I feel that putting many of their practices in place in other communities will help everyone in the long run. But I do believe that there is not one solid answer for everyone everywhere.

The "answer" is BALANCE. The answer is in adapting our current lives (and bodies) to the environment we find ourselves in and the answer is always changing with time. Sometimes a HUGE change, all at once, is detrimental, rather than beneficial. But some of the suggestions are helping me help my mother live a happier life, for longer. For that I am grateful for this documentary and this incredibly driven (if somewhat "directionaly" challenged) man and is untiring efforts to help the world understand Blue Zones.

Although the documentary sets out to explore the fascinating topic of longevity in different countries, it disappointingly offers only a shallow understanding of the cultures it examines.

The film is especially off-mark in its tone, frequently making insensitive remarks. When discussing Costa Rica, for example, the host uses phrases like "such a poor country," undermining the depth and nuance of the topic at hand. This approach not only insults the subject but also undermines the credibility of the documentary as a whole.

Most perplexing is the host's paradoxical stance. While he appears to criticize American approach on longevity, he exhibits an overtone of American exceptionalism that undermines his own arguments.

In summary, what could have been an enlightening journey into the secrets of long life across various cultures ends up being a superficial and often offensive endeavor, marred by a lack of depth and a problematic tone from the host.

Many places outside of the blue zones have achieved average life expectancy of 84 years. So I'm not sure what makes the blue zones so special. This programme is over dramatic in its claims. Why aren't any scientists or data analysts present to give a balanced view.

I also wondered how well records would have been kept in some of those remote areas. Could someone think they were 95 and maybe they were only 88?

Since these studies, further analysis has shown that the data mentioned isn't entirely accurate. The agenda should have been more balanced. Someone needed to debunk the data on the show or at least challenge it to show whether it holds up to scrutiny.

I just couldn't keep watching this boring stuff. Stopped at the end of ep2, it made me cringe. Dear Netflix executives (and others streaming platforms): this is why people like me are sick and tired of paying for this kind of "content".

--Shallow: I admit we start with the right foot: the host talks about his childhood, his curiosity for a topic that promises an intriguing theme: specific areas where people live beyond 100 years (i.e. Mortality and living longer). Alas his role becomes soon insufferable: he doesn't have a strong reason to embark on this journey (other than traveling it seems); he's preachy; there are no obstacles and all the doors are indeed open. It gets boring.

Now I didn't expect deep philosophical stuff about the pros and cons of living for many many many years, but come on: you are serving us a list of things you check off one item after another like you are grocery shopping.

And: you need physical activity to live longer? No stress? Eat your veggies? No ____ sherlock!

Now let's move to the bad stuff.

--Misleading the researchers left out major things in presenting their "findings". Stuff that you can realize by spending 30min reading about longevity:

genetics: not mentioned blood type: not mentioned quality of the air: not mentioned

then: animal protein: the real blue zones are all in areas that had direct access to meat and diary. Areas where the farmers owned the land and could eat meat and cheese. I know for a fact that in Sardinia they eat heaps of pork and lamb and cheese. I highly doubt that in Okinawa they didnt eat fish.

So: is this "documentary" meant to push the vegetarian diet?

Listening to the host saying "americans are fat" "americans sit down all day" was almost painful. If you don't show numbers, percentage, age groups etc etc it is propaganda, not statistics

but the pinnacle is the Loma Linda community in California! They dont even reach 100 years! So what's the point? It smells like product placement, to sell their memberships.

The Real Okinawan Food Is Consistent with the Research of Dr. Weston A. Price

Dr. Weston A. Price spent 10 years studying the diets of the last healthy peoples on Earth. These peoples were free of the chronic diseases that plague the modern world. Dr. Price did not just read studies, he actually traveled right to the people he studied and observed them personally. Dr. Price found a number of similarities in the diets of these people:

They ate a large amount of animal fat.

They ate a substantial amount of meat and/or seafood.

They ate a large amount of organ meats regularly.

They ate some of their meat and/or seafood raw.

They ate many kinds of natural foods, unrefined and unprocessed.

They ate a number of naturally fermented foods.

They ate at least a small amount of seafood, fermented if they could not get it fresh.

All of these factors are present in the real Okinawan food.

The Okinawans eat a great deal of pork fat.

The Okinawans eat a substantial amount of pork and goat.

The Okinawans eat organ meats regularly.

The Okinawans eat raw goat meat.

The Okinawans eat most of their food unrefined and unprocessed.

The Okinawans eat a number of naturally fermented foods.

The Okinawans regularly eat a small amount of fermented seafood.

In summary, the diet of the Okinawans is very similar to the diet of the healthy peoples studied by Dr. Price. The longevity of the Okinawan people is further evidence of the benefits of the diet developed by Dr. Price.