Since the publication of the Blue Zones book, a National Geographic exploration of areas in the world where many healthy centurions are found, there has been an increasing interest in health and longevity; ‘healthspan’. But, what lessons can we learn from such populations that might be of interest to athletes and active individuals?
Professor Justin Roberts has done a lot of research into the Blue Zones, plus has experienced the zone in Sardinia first hand. Podcast host Ian Craig asks him to define key aspects of this way of life, that contribute to incredibly healthy states of wellbeing. Their conversation delves into eating patterns, communities, culture and faith, polyphenols, ‘downshifting’, and symbiosis with the environment.
But how do the Blue Zones relate to athletes? More and more active individuals view sport and exercise as a means towards better health and fitness, but the way in which we engage in exercise affects the health or ‘dis-ease’ experienced during it. These learnings also apply to longevity of a sports career (think of the footballer Ronaldo) and duration and quality of life thereafter. Tune in to learn more.
About Justin
Professor Justin Roberts PhD is a Professor in Nutritional Physiology for Health and Exercise at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge and Director of Research at the Cambridge Centre for Sport & Exercise Science, plus Program Leader for Muscle and Mobility platforms at Danone Nutricia Research. With over 20 years’ experience in sport and exercise physiology and nutrition, Justin’s current research interests include the effect of polyphenol phytonutrients on fat oxidation and cardio-metabolic health, as well as nutrition factors aligned with the ‘muscle-gut-brain’ axis, in particular probiotic and protein interventions to support muscle recovery and adaptations to exercise. He is a registered nutritional therapist with the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC).
Website: www.aru.ac.uk/people/justin-roberts
LinkedIn: /justin-roberts
Twitter: @drjustinroberts
Relevant research links and resources for this podcast
Below are a list of research articles and areas of academic enquiry within the Blue Zones enquiry, mentioned by Justin and Ian during their interview:
Original AKEA study conducted in Sardinia
The Sardinia male longevity study
The Loma Linda vegetarian study
Vegetarian Dietary Patterns and Mortality in Adventist Health Study 2 – Orlich et al., 2013
Discussion of a longevity diet, including caloric restriction and protein needs
Connection between the gut microbiota, health and ageing
Regional Diets Targeting Gut Microbial Dynamics to Support Prolonged Healthspan – Low et al., 2021
The gut-muscle axis
Gut endoxemia in endurance athletes
