The Secret to Longevity

The residents of Sardinia, Italy — home to the highest concentration of centenarians in the world — believe they’ve uncovered the secret to a long life.

At first glance, a group of locals gathered at a quaint Italian café may not seem out of the ordinary — until you realize their true ages.

“At the very least, we’re all pushing 150!” joked Guido Lepori to Today reporter Seth Doane.

The village of Villagrande, nestled on the island of Sardinia, is a popular tourist destination known for its culture and beaches. But it has also drawn the attention of scientists and researchers, including Gianni Pes and Valter Longo — director of the Longevity Institute at the University of Southern California — who are collaborating to study this extraordinary phenomenon.

“The entire world is talking about this town,” Longo said. “Out of every 2,000 to 3,000 people, six live past 100 — a number that's extremely rare anywhere else on Earth.” In fact, Sardinia has the highest recorded longevity rate in the world, with nearly 20 times more centenarians than the United States.

“We’re still searching for answers,” Pes explained. “Even after 20 years of research, we haven’t found one clear explanation.”

Villagrande is home to couples like Gabriele Mereu and his wife Ermelinda, who’ve been married for 63 years and are often seen tending their garden together.

“Do you always stay active like this?” the reporter asked.

“Always. I’m always working,” the 96-year-old Gabriele replied with a smile.

His cousin Vittoria is just as vibrant. At 93, she is still hired by Hotel Orlando to teach others how to make pistoccu, a traditional Sardinian bread.

“Ten percent of people born in Villagrande reach 90,” Pes shared. “In the rest of Italy, it's only about 3%. So this village triples the national average.”

Longo believes that periods of fasting, such as during wartime, followed by a rich diet including proteins and fats, may have contributed to increased life expectancy. However, diet is only one part of the story. Genetics also play a significant role — particularly the age of siblings.

“If you think of an athlete who wins many gold medals, it’s likely due to genetics. But they still need rigorous training,” Longo explained. “Genetics set the foundation, but lifestyle, physical activity, and especially diet are crucial.”

Based on Seth Doane’s survey, here are several key factors that may explain why Sardinians live so long:

1. Local Wine

Winemakers in their 90s claim that their homemade Cannonau wine is their secret to longevity. Dan Buettner noted that lab tests show it contains three times the antioxidants found in any other known wine.

2. Fermented Sourdough Bread

Similar to sourdough in the U.S., Sardinian sourdough is made from whole wheat and fermented with live lactobacilli (not yeast). This process turns sugars and gluten into lactic acid, lowering the bread’s glycemic index.

3. Gardening

At 90, retired shepherd Gabriele Mereu still gardens daily with his wife. Their village, with just 3,000 residents, includes six centenarians. Ermelinda, 80, says she never worries about aging — daily work provides good exercise, clean food, and stress relief.

4. Traditional Minestrone Soup

In the remote village of Perdasdefogu, locals swear by their family recipe for minestrone, passed down by the Melis family — nine siblings who collectively held the Guinness World Record for the oldest family, with a combined age of 818 years.

5. Regular Consumption of Fennel

Fennel’s licorice-like flavor is a staple in many Sardinian recipes. It’s packed with fiber and vitamins A, B, and C, and helps keep blood pressure low.

6. Happy Marriages

Globally, women tend to outlive men. In the U.S., there are five 100-year-old women for every man. But in Sardinia, the ratio is 1:1. Couples here believe their long, happy marriages — some lasting over 57 years — are key to a healthy and long life.

7. Special Bread and Tomato Sauce

Flatbread made from hard durum wheat (Triticum) is a favorite among Sardinian shepherds. It’s high in protein, low in gluten, rich in fiber and complex carbs, and far healthier than white bread.

Buettner also points out that Sardinian tomato sauce, rich in antioxidants, may contribute to longevity. Locals often add olive oil, boosting nutrient absorption and antioxidant intake.