Loma Linda, a small Californian city, is home to just over 25,000 people, and the United States’ only recognized “Blue Zone.” A Blue Zone is a region of the world where inhabitants regularly live about a decade longer than the global average. Loma Linda’s extraordinary longevity was brought to the world’s attention by researcher Dan Buettner, who featured it in his recent book and Netflix docuseries on the topic of Blue Zones.

Source: ABC News/YouTube

What sets Loma Linda apart from the rest of the world? The answer lies in the lifestyle choices of its residents, who, on average, live an impressive 10 years longer than the typical American. The secret to their longevity? Many Loma Linda residents, approximately 9,000 of them, adhere to the Seventh-day Adventist faith, a unique Adventist Protestant Christian denomination.

Seventh-day Adventists prioritize a combination of key elements that have been associated with Blue Zone lifestyles, including plant-based eating, regular exercise, strong community bonds, and a stress-free lifestyle. These factors collectively contribute to their remarkable longevity.

One of the cornerstones of the Seventh-day Adventist diet is a plant-based focus. Staples like black beans, nuts, and avocados are central components of their daily meals. Interestingly, these superfoods are also dietary mainstays in other Blue Zones around the world. “In every Blue Zone, they’re eating about a cup of beans a day,” Buettner emphasized. He goes further to suggest that beans could be considered the world’s only true superfood.

Unlike many other dietary practices, Seventh-day Adventists abstain from refined foods, shellfish, and red meat, with a particular emphasis on avoiding pork. A comprehensive study of 81,000 Seventh-day Adventists from the US and Canada revealed that even small amounts of red meat consumption were associated with a two-fold increase in heart problems. Instead of meat, Loma Linda’s local market prominently features bins of beans and grains, further reinforcing their plant-based lifestyle. Additionally, the university cafeteria in the city is entirely vegetarian. Furthermore, Seventh-day Adventists strictly abstain from alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine, as dictated by their religious beliefs.

In addition to their diet, Loma Linda residents, like their counterparts in other Blue Zones, prioritize community and social interaction. They frequently come together for potluck dinners at their churches, sharing hearty plant-based meals while strengthening their social bonds. Loma Linda University’s fitness center is open to all city residents and offers programs focusing on diet and exercise.

Another key element of the Seventh-day Adventist lifestyle is spending time in the great outdoors. After potluck dinners, it’s customary for families to embark on nature hikes, connecting with nature and one another. Moreover, Saturday is the Sabbath for Seventh-day Adventists, a day of rest from work and secular activities, dedicated to rejuvenation and spiritual reflection.

In a world where the pursuit of longevity often involves complex diets and cutting-edge technologies, Loma Linda stands as a testament to the simple yet powerful principles of community, plant-based eating, exercise, and stress reduction.

Sign this petition to encourage people to stop eating meat, elongate their lives, and save our planet!

Related Content:

• Why More People Are Eating Plant-Based
• Pro Climber Alexander Megos Gives Insight Into His Plant-Based Lifestyle
• 8 Plant-Based Foods That Could Help Unclog Your Arteries
• 10 Foods and Lifestyle Tips That May Help to Lower Blood Pressure
• Want to Live Longer? Eat Vegan!

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade repeatedly.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and essential stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!