Women in this Sardinian village live exceptionally long. Researchers are asking why

The village of Bolotana, located on the Italian island of Sardinia, has women experiencing an exceptionally long life expectancy. According to a recent study, these women can anticipate reaching 91 years old on average, surpassing the Italian national average by over two years. Remarkably, Bolotana women are three times more likely to celebrate their 100th birthday compared to women living elsewhere in Italy.

In fact, 13.8% of women in Bolotana who reach age 70 are expected to live until 100, which is substantially higher than the 3.5% in Italy and 3.6% in the United States. S. Jay Olshansky, a researcher from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health, stated that he believes this village houses the longest-lived female population globally, or at least very close to it.

The village has garnered attention due to its unusually high concentration of centenarians, with six residents aged 100 or older in 2024, a prevalence approximately 11 times higher than the United States. The study, published in the Frontiers in Aging journal, examined demographic records from the village, which has approximately 2,300 residents, and found a positive survival trend among older adults, especially women, from 2021 to 2025.

The findings suggest that Bolotana may represent a new "blue zone" – areas with unusually long lives and a disproportionately high number of nonagenarians and centenarians. Although the study confirms the unusual phenomenon in Bolotana, it doesn't pinpoint the exact causes. However, the authors mention several factors that may contribute, including dietary patterns, genetics, physical activity, family support, and social cohesion.

Locally grown foods, such as olive oil, rich in healthy fats, play a significant role in the community's diet. Families often reside close together, reducing the prevalence of social isolation. The village's strong sense of community, where people take care of each other and engage in walking rather than driving, may also contribute to their exceptional longevity.

The village has historical records dating back centuries, enabling researchers to accurately document ages at birth and death, a crucial factor in confirming it as a blue zone. Other blue zones that have been identified and confirmed by researchers include Okinawa, Japan; the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica; Ikaria in Greece, and another region in Sardinia called Ogliastra, located in the eastern-central part of the island.