Want to live longer? Forget blue zones – these factors improve your chances of ageing well

A healthy diet, exercising regularly and creating healthy connectionsa: ‘There is no specific formula for living to 110 years old, but we do know some factors that can influence longevity.’ Composite: Guardian Design/Getty Images

There is a whole body of scientific research dedicated to uncovering the lifestyles of people living in blue zones – areas of the globe where a higher proportion of people seem to live exceptionally long lives beyond the age of 100.

From Okinawa in Japan to the island of Sardinia in the Mediterranean, the seven blue zone regions have given rise to books, diets, documentaries and endless social media posts from “wellness coaches” delving into what it is about these places that lead people to live for so long.