Loma Linda Is Hot ‘Blue Zone’ for Longevity

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

This is the second part in our 5-part series (Part 1: Okinawans Know the Secrets of Long Life) on life in the “Blue Zones,” where people live longer, healthy lives. Each part will look into the diets and lifestyles of the areas where longevity is a normal part of aging better. Who doesn’t want to know their secrets?

Loma Linda is a city within San Bernardino County, California, with just over 24,000 residents. It is considered a “Blue Zone” and is one of five regions in the world where the population has notably exceptional longevity. Loma Linda is a unique Blue Zone for many reasons; it is the only Blue Zone located in the U.S. and is also far less geographically isolated than the rest.

Loma Linda has one of the largest concentrations of Seventh-day Adventists in the world. Members of this religion see health as a central part of their faith. Much of the longevity of this population has been attributed to plant-based dietary habits, regular exercise, and abstinence from caffeine, smoking, and alcohol. This tight-knit community in California historically outlives the average American by ten years.

Dietary Habits

Seventh-day Adventists consume a predominantly plant-based diet and believe this diet is the original diet intended for humans. Some consume a vegan diet while others consume a vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, or a more flexitarian version of a plant-based diet. For those that choose to consume meat, Adventists recommend consuming it in small, side-dish sized portions. In general, they consume a well-balanced diet focusing on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts, and limit salt, sugar, and refined grains.

This community generally abstains from caffeine and alcohol consumption. Instead of coffee, many Adventists choose to drink Kaffree Roma – a caffeine-free coffee alternative made from roasted barley, chicory, and rye. At parties hosted by other Adventists, they’ll often consume tomato juice or sparkling water in place of an alcoholic beverage.

Regional Spices

Traditionally, Adventists, who make up a large component of Loma Linda’s population, don’t consume many herbs or spices. Some believe that simpler, less exciting food is better and view herbs, spices, and condiments as potentially harmful. Instead, here are a few herbs and spices that are drought-tolerant and grow well in Southern California’s climate:

Sage: can be used to flavor oils, marinades, and pasta. It has been used in folk remedies to treat conditions like heartburn and digestive issues.
Rosemary: can be used in the kitchen in a variety of ways – to flavor breads, soups, oils, and cookies.
Oregano: a versatile and easy-to-grow plant, it pairs well with basil and can be used fresh or dried to flavor pasta dishes, soups, and sauces.

Longevity Lifestyle Habits

Seventh-day Adventists generally observe a 24-hour Sabbath each week, typically starting Friday evening and ending Saturday night. The purpose of the Sabbath is to slow down and take a break from the demands of daily life, and instead focus on mental, physical, and spiritual rest. Adventists do this by focusing on some of the aspects of life they view as most important: family, God, fellowship, and nature. Some Adventists also choose to fast on this day.

This community incorporates regular, low-intensity exercise into their lifestyle through daily walks and nature hikes often taken on days of Sabbath. Volunteering and acts of service are encouraged and provided by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

You don’t need to live in Loma Linda to implement longevity habits from this unique community. Consider dedicating a day, or even a couple hours one day a week, to rest. Focus on more plant-based foods in your diet and consider a vegan, vegetarian, or simply more flexitarian plan for yourself.

Blue Zone Series:

Part 1: Okinawans Know the Secrets of Long Life

Part 2: Loma Linda, CA Is a Hot Blue Zone for Longevity

Part 3: Sardinia: Another Blue Zone for Longevity

Part 4: Greek Island Ikaria Is a Longevity Hot Spot

Part 5: Centenarians Abound in Isolated Nicoya

Resources

Green, C. M. (2021, May 1). Longevity Blue Zone Centenarians: An expository paper. Inquiries Journal.

Loma Linda, California – Blue Zones. Blue Zones – Live Better, Longer. (2021, May 4).

Spector, N. (2019, April 3). What ‘blue zone’ city Loma Linda, California can teach us about living longer. NBCNews.com.

Whittaker, L. (n.d.). 7 drought-tolerant herbs: Southern California tips: Install-it-direct. INSTALLITDIRECT.

Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

Ginger Hultin MS RDN CSO is a Seattle-based Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and long time contributor to nutrition content on Foodtrients®. She is the owner of the concierge, virtual nutrition practice Ginger Hultin Nutrition where she helps clients with complex health conditions through an integrative approach. She specializes in anti-inflammatory diets for integrative oncology nutrition, people with gastrointestinal disease, and autoimmune issues. Her 10-year partnership with Foodtrients® has focused on evidence-based anti-aging nutrition, healthy recipes, and "top foods" lists in many categories from blood sugar control to healing your gut. Ginger serves as adjunct clinical faculty at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Seattle. She is the director of communications at the Washington State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a past Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and past-chair of the Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group. She has authored two nutrition books: Anti-Inflammatory Diet Meal Prep and the How to Eat to Beat Disease Cookbook. Ginger is a graduate of the University of Washington and Bastyr University and is currently pursuing her doctorate of clinical nutrition at the University of North Florida.