Exploring the Dietary Patterns and Health Behaviours of Centenarians in Ourense (Spain): Adherence to the Southern European Atlantic Diet.

Background

Understanding the multifactorial determinants of human longevity remains a major scientific challenge. Certain regions of the world-so-called "longevity hotspots"-exhibit a notably high prevalence of centenarians; one such region is the province of Ourense, in north-western Spain.

Objectives

This study aimed to analyse, for the first time, the nutritional factors associated with healthy longevity among centenarians, as well as those linked to longevity irrespective of health status, in the province of Ourense.

Methods

A cross-sectional, retrospective, observational, mixed-methods study was conducted. A population of 261 individuals aged 100 or over residing in Ourense was identified. A sample of 156 participants was included in the quantitative analysis; from this sample, 25 centenarians were selected for in-depth qualitative analysis through personal interviews.

Results

Dietary patterns aligned with the Southern European Atlantic Diet (SEAD), combined with strong social bonds and a culture of self-sufficiency, appear to be key contributors to exceptional longevity in this population.

Conclusions

Remarkable longevity in Ourense is associated with a combination of factors: adherence to an SEAD-style dietary pattern, an active and uncomplicated lifestyle, and strong social support networks.