Blue Zones: Science or Marketing?

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1. Page 1Too old to be true

2. Page 2Science or marketing?

In fact, at least as Newman sees it, the entire population science of old age has a massive problem. Lost birth certificates, identity theft, pension fraud: the older people are, the more likely it is that there is actually a mistake behind their age, says Newman. Even in countries where data collection is actually good, such cases cannot be ruled out. And you can’t check it with biological markers either. “There’s no way to know how old these people really are,” Newman says.

In addition, it is also difficult to distinguish between science and marketing, especially in the Blue Zones. The idea for this originally came from from research – in search of the places with the oldest people, scientists marked the places with a blue pen. But the Blue Zones only became popular when former journalist Dan Buettner used them for a cover story in Store National Geographic picked up (PDF).

The idea has now become a huge business: Buettner has written a best-selling book. Let Netflix film a current documentary. There are cooking courses, Blue Zone retreats, countless cookbooks – and of course nutritional supplements. Even cities can get advice and be certified by the Blue Zones.

The secret of a long life

The fact that scientific accuracy sometimes takes a back seat should hardly surprise anyone who takes a closer look at Buettner’s company. That’s a shame, says geneticist Deelen, because there are actually very interesting and relevant scientific questions behind it. On the other hand, the advice for a particularly long life that Dan Buettner’s team derived from the Blue Zones makes sense on the whole, if not surprising: lots of exercise, lots of vegetables, rest, lots of time with friends and family. “Perhaps the data from the regions is not as scientifically sound as we would like,” says Deelen. “But if it leads to people living healthier lives, I’m still quite happy with it.”

Aging, what does that mean?

More on the topic

Z+ (subscription content); Perception of age: When are we old?

Z+ (subscription content); Fitness in old age: It is never too late to get fit. And it always makes sense

Z+ (subscription content); Aging: “We can influence our cells with our lifestyle”

Newman sees things a little less relaxed. Yes, for the most part the advice makes sense. But they also recommend a glass of wine every day – and at that point it becomes unscientific, because even small amounts of alcohol are harmful to your health. And the Blue Zone researchers had even put forward the theory that there are so many supercentenarians living in Sardinia because cousins ​​get married there more often. When Newman talks about the Blue Zones, there’s a mix of amusement and despair.

“If you’re looking for the secret to a long life: Don’t smoke, don’t drink, exercise. That’s it,” says Newman. “You don’t need to diet to do that – and you certainly don’t need to pay someone to tell you that.”

Elena Erdmann

Editor responsible for research data in the knowledge department at ZEIT ONLINE

Newman is currently writing a book about his research and all the absurd individual cases. But then he wants to turn his back on the field again and go back to plant genetics. You can at least monitor the entire lifespan of a plant and thus achieve reliable findings.

In fact, at least as Newman sees it, the entire population science of old age has a massive problem. Lost birth certificates, identity theft, pension fraud: the older people are, the more likely it is that there is actually a mistake behind their age, says Newman. Even in countries where data collection is actually good, such cases cannot be ruled out. And you can’t check it with biological markers either. “There’s no way to know how old these people really are,” Newman says.