TODAY Visits ‘Blue Zone’ Of Costa Rica Where People Live To 100 | TODAY

Its not just food. Peace of mind, more social interactions, more physical activities and less sugar and no chronic stress..

A traditional Costa Rican breakfast is so much more than just rice and beans. Gallo pinto also has onion, bell pepper, and cilantro, and apart from tortilla, is typically accompanied by eggs, a slice of cheese, and a bowl of fruit. You have all the food groups, if you count the sugar in your coffee and fruits.

I'm an old man from Malaysia. When I was a child, everyone who survived childhood is expected to live to 100. All that despite bacteria, parasites, poisonous plant and animals, on top of the absence of health service, that we all never have to worry today. Both my great grandparents lived to 120 when their 4th generation descendant already a youngster. I remember them clearing rubber plantation with RoundUp. Of course they never know about masks, gloves or a person should always be upwind while spraying herbicide. Rice was about all they ate with something to give it flavor like dried fish. Nobody could afford meat those days except for kings and lords, who incidentally all lived to today's peoples age. Now.... I'm watching how people retire at 55, then hospitals become their 2nd home 5 yrs later.

I lived a year in Costa Rica in the 90s and I absolutely loved the traditional diet: lots of black beans (Gallo pinto for breakfast and Casado for dinner), tortillas, vegetable stews, eggs, plantains, salads, delicious fresh fruit and Pipa (fresh coconut water).

Bean tortillas and coffee. I dont complain!

This 100 years old gentleman is so adorable! He seems very happy and in good health! This is wonderful!

How is rice and beans an unhealthy breakfast?? Lol 😆

Matt Lauer: "Frisky is right!!!" followed by a nervous chuckle.

have you notice people? no robots, no dishes, NO WASTE just plain leaves for a plate... the best!

I KEEP MY MOM RECIPIES HERE IN kansas City.I still cook whit wood...cook beans and make tortillas by hand... I AM FROM Nicoya. A very nice report.lovely...

We are a country for profits, not for “ Health “

My country !!!! I love Costarica so much ❤️

My granny died in May 23rd this yr @115yrs was strong she died from an infection she was not on any diet eating ordinary! It's by the love of God that kept her and not food!

Pura vida Costa Rica 🇨🇷

The old man is so sweet😄 it's impossible not to smile with him

My Grandma lived in Chicago through The Great Depression, drank a pot of black coffee every day and lived to be 100. She was sharp as a tack until about 98. She worked on her feet - moving and standing daily until age 77 which she said kept her young. If she at a steak she ate the fat as well. ✌️

Beans are plant based protein, with great fibre. They mix well with a lot of cuisines. Those tortillas can be eaten with anything, spreading that niacin around all day. Also, there isn't a lot of refined sugar in that cowboy's diet. He's healthy as a horse.

My grandparents from Mexico grew up with a similar lifestyle, they are 100, 93, and 90. My two grandmas have probably not done "cardio" since they were kids, constantly moving is probably more important than intense exercise.

Even this breakfast has a lot of carbs, it's way much better than eating a bowl of cereal and milk, with gallo pinto you feel satisfied all the morning.

I live in CR and it's not the food as much as it is the peace and no stress that makes us live better. We are "Tranquilo" and it shows! Pura vida! Edit: I'd like to say that this man and his generation are likely to be the last that live that long. Today in Costa Rica life is harder and expensive and corrupted politicians run the country. So please forget what I said above... he may be the last 🤷‍♀️