Since I started my natural cosmetic formulation journey, I found myself immersed in deep research about many interesting topics I found on the internet: plants, ingredients, packaging, sustainability, local products and more.
When I took the decision to focus on formulating with ingredients from my homeland Sardinia, I started deepening my readings about history and traditions of this Mediterranean island. I needed to know more about it, and I hoped to find some inspiration.
A topic that fascinated me to the point of starting collecting information and articles was the Blue Zone denomination.
I knew something about it, but my research allowed me to discover more insights, and I want to share with you the notes I took about this important denomination.
Enjoy your reading!
Sardinia is the first-ever declared Blue Zone, an area where a big amount of people live longer than hundred years, compared to others. Six more places in the world have been declared Blue Zones so far by Dan Buettner after Sardinia, who dedicated his studies to discovering the secrets of longevity.
A combination of ancient genetic ancestry, lifestyle, and traditions is the answer to this mystery.
Genetic Ancestry
Sardinian people descend mostly from Neolithic Early European Farmers (10.000-4.500 BC), and the modern Sardinian DNA proves this genetic stability.
They have been subjects of studies by geneticists to understand human health.
The isolation from living on an island for tens of thousands of years, resulted in genetic isolation that gave the DNA strength and helped longevity responsible genus to spread.
Lifestyle
Spontaneous movement from daily activities, healthy seasonal food grown on the same territory, good wine like the famous Cannonau (three times richer in antioxidants than other wines) and fun time spent with family and friends, are the ingredients that helps Sardinians live longer and healthier. The Sardinian diet is the main reason why elders are living beyond 100 years, but the modern diet and lifestyle of younger people probably won't give the same result. Anyway, life expectancy at birth is currently around 82 years old, not too bad!
Life is slow in Sardinia, families eat together every day, and everybody enjoys participating in family or religious festivities, preparing food together and drinking a glass of local wine, sharing stories, and having a good laugh.
Traditions
The elders of Sardinia are pretty much strict Catholics, and religion is known to give a purpose in life. Studies show that having a life purpose increases the life expectancy by about seven years.
Older family members often live with their grown children's families and their role is extremely relevant. They are very close to their loved ones and spend a lot of time together: they are considered wise and teach their vast knowledge to those around them.
Curiosities: A recent study* shows that Resveratrol contained in red grapes is able to extend the lifespan of old cells turning on genes that promote more youthful cellular behavior throughout the whole body.
Putting together healthy eating habits, clean air, water, and environment, a genetic predisposition and the formula for a long and healthy life is not a mystery anymore!
Broosha's Organic skincare line has been formulated with what this marvelous land offers: Lentisk, Lavender, Helichrysum, Rosa Canina, Myrtle, Grapes, St. John's wort, Thyme, Juniper, Rosemary.
When you know where the ingredients come from, everything changes.
I hope you liked it, please let me know what you think in the comments!
Ilaria
Notes:
* https://bmcmolcellbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12860-017-0147-7