With his book “The Secret of the Blue Zones: Eat and Live Like the Healthiest People on the Planet,” Dan Buettner became one of the best-known experts on longevity. He also popularized the concept of “blue zones”, areas of the world where the inhabitants supposedly enjoy an outstanding life expectancy.

The data that supported the existence of these areas was put in question: according to some experts, exceptional longevity in these areas it could be explained by administrative and not health issues. That is why there are relevant doubts about the concept of blue zones and their validity.

Buettner is, despite everything, seen as one of the most relevant longevity experts: his Instagram has more than 600,000 followers, who are added to those who follow his work through his publications or documentaries.

It was precisely through his Instagram account, when a few months ago he gave a list of foods we should avoid as much as possible if our goal is to live longer. And a “trick” to facilitate this task: not taking them home.

Buettner’s list included four food groups: packaged sweets, snacks salty foods, sugary drinks and processed meats. There is not much debate about the healthiness of these foods: for one reason or another, foods in these groups are often considered unhealthy or even harmful in some cases.

In the case of sweets and sugary drinks, the problem lies precisely in their sugar content. Although our body needs sugars to function properly, excessive consumption can harm our health and well-being.

Diabetes is one of the most common problems derived from excessive consumption of sugars, but it can also cause problems to our dental health. He excessive sugar consumption It can also facilitate the appearance of overweight, which in turn is a risk factor for our cardiovascular health, for example.

In the case of the snacks salty, the problem is in the salt. Again, salt provides us with nutrients, but from a certain point it can also cause health problems, or in other words: it costs us years of life. Its excessive consumption is especially evident in cardiac health, increasing, for example, the risk of suffering a heart attack.

The fourth group that Buettner suggests we remove from our homes is processed meats, which includes various products such as sausages, sausages or some precooked meat foods. Not without some controversy around the issue, today we know There is a link between the consumption of some meats and the appearance of certain cancers, especially those of the digestive system.

Nothing but a trick

Science is settled regarding the fact that the impact of these foods on our health can vary, but is, in general, negative. So should we listen to Buettner and remove these products from our homes? The answer is that it depends.

As Buettner himself points out, behind the idea of ​​not bringing these foods into our homes is not the need to completely remove them from our diet. Not bringing them into our homes is a trick to consume less, to turn them into a special food that we consume occasionally and not part of our daily lives. A reward that we have to earn, at least by leaving home to get it.

The strategy could be applicable to other foods, for example alcoholic beverages. In fact, it is common to associate the social consumption of these drinks with moderate consumption. Although this is not exactly comparable with the separation between domestic and outdoor consumption, it can give us a notion that we can extrapolate.

Now, even taking into account that we are talking about nothing more than a trick, is it a trick that works? Here There is no specific answer either.. In the absence of studies we can only be guided by experience, and there may be people for whom this system makes it easier to improve their diet. Other people may not notice any changes, personal circumstances may determine the usefulness of the mechanism.

When we talk about food and health, there are other factors to take into account. Trying to add years of life through better nutrition is always a great idea, but complementing it with other changes in our habits is more than recommended. A more active life, strengthening our social relationships or trying to sleep more and better can be tips that help us, if not to live longer, at least to improve our quality of life.

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