It’s breakfast in Nicoya, the blue zone where its inhabitants have lived for more than 100 years.

One of the most long life expectancy of the planet is located on a peninsula of Costa Rica . It is Nicoya, a place known for having happy residents who enjoy a high quality of life and that in addition, they have a significant life expectancy, according to The nation .

In this way, Nicoya has become one of the five “blue zones” in the world. This means that people living there can live on average more than 100 years.

But, What do they do in particular to be able to live so long and so happily?

Everything indicates that The formula for living past 100 for the people of Nicoya lies largely in their diet: When choosing what to eat, people are opting for fresh, local ingredients and almost nothing processed.

For example, A typical breakfast wouldn’t be “bread with something” to which we are accustomed. In exchange, In Nicoya, they usually eat “el gallo pinto” for breakfast: rice, beans, onions, peppers and cilantro, accompanied by corn tortillas and coffee.

This food stands out for its proteins, complex carbohydrates, fiber and antioxidants. It is a fairly complete food to start the day that undoubtedly provides many nutrients to the inhabitants.

According to the Costa Rican cuisine specialist, Melissa Guzman , The traditional Nicoya diet is “simple and fresh, based on whole foods like pumpkin, corn and bananas, and moderate meat consumption.” said The nation.

However, The star ingredient for acquiring protein and fiber is undoubtedly beans. as they are better known in Chile.

To accompany them, the most popular option is rice and corn. They also consume fresh fruits and vegetables such as papaya, mango, banana, watermelon and pineapple.

Moreover, according to the expert, Meals are not only meant to satisfy oneself, but they are a time when the people of Nicoya take the opportunity to share with their families and community, which also affects a complete and satisfying state of mind.

On the other hand, Nicoyans do a lot of physical activity every day. Many of them start the day riding horses or working in the fields. If you are thirsty, it is common to consume water rich in calcium, a mineral essential for bone health.

All this, combined with a healthy and balanced diet This would be the big secret of this blue zone have a healthier, but also longer, life.