Residents of the ‘Blue Zones’, regions known for their high number of centenarians, have revealed a ‘hearty’ superfood they swear by for breakfast, claiming it’s key to living longer. These zones, located in Japan, Costa Rica and Greece, are home to locals who are reportedly 10 times more likely to reach the age of 100 than the average person in the United States.
While they attribute their longevity to various factors such as a plant-based diet, calorie restriction and prioritising family time, one of the simplest habits many of them have in common is their choice of breakfast. This consists of a daily bowl of oatmeal, long celebrated for its health benefits.
In November, researchers offered a glimpse into the lifestyle of Marge Jetton, who lived in the Blue Zone of Loma Linda in Southern California. Marge died in 2011 at the age of 106. They highlighted that she, like many others in her community, started her day early with a bowl of oatmeal.
“[She is] waking up early, power walking, drinking six glasses of water before breakfast, eating oatmeal, and drinking prune juice ‘shooters’,” they reported. “One of the most popular breakfast meals for Adventists in Loma Linda is oatmeal.
“By fuelling up with a hearty whole-grain breakfast, Adventists give themselves a complete package of health benefits, rich in nutrients and disease-preventing phytochemicals and antioxidants.”
Oatmeal isn’t just a hearty breakfast choice but a booster for heart health, confirms nutritionist Helen Bell from Help and Advice. Its secret ingredient? A soluble fibre known as ‘beta-gluten’, which can play a vital role in reducing heart disease risk by possibly blocking cholesterol absorption during digestion and beefing up the body’s immune defences to fend off infections, based on info from WebMD. But science is still piecing together beta-gluten’s full impact.
Speaking about the health benefits of this simple superfood, Helen commented: “I’d say that oatmeal is an excellent choice for breakfast, especially for those aiming for longevity. It’s a whole grain packed with soluble fibre, which can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels and support heart health. I often recommend oatmeal because it’s versatile, [for example] you can add fruits, nuts, or seeds to enhance its nutritional profile.”
Sainsbury’s currently sell Mornflake Mighty Oats Stoneground Oatmeal for £2.50. This 750g bag contains just over 18 portions of 40g, making each portion of oatmeal just 13p.