The secret to longevity leave alone immortality, has been an age-old quest boggling the minds of curious mortal men. Statistically, the average lifespan worldwide is around 70 to 80 years of age, but yet a few miraculously live on until a ripe old age of 100.
Researchers from the San Diego School of Medicine, University of California along with University of Rome La Sapienza have delved into an interesting study on longevity. The study group consists of 300 senior citizens wherein each and every one of them have outlived a whopping century.
These centenarians are idealistically living together in peace and harmony not to forget good health, in a quaint little village in Acciaroli, Italy.
Over and beyond long life, this group of 300 is surprisingly free of the usual and common old-age diseases such as Alzheimer's and heart-related conditions. Mentally and physically they are found to be fit.
"The goal of this long-term study is to find out why this group of 300 is living so long by conducting a full genetic analysis and examining lifestyle behaviors, like diet and exercise. The results from studying the longevity of this group could be applied to our practice at UC San Diego and to patients all over the world." said Alan Maisel, investigator and professor at the San Diego School of Medicine.
Interestingly, during their research on the lifestyle of these residents, they found that a common factor among them is the usage of the herb rosemary. The Mediterranean diet they follow uses the rosemary herb as a culinary condiment. The health benefit of this evergreen herb are aplenty and a few includes detoxifies the body, boosts memory power, builds immunity, prevents premature aging and protects bodily infections.
Over and beyond the healthy herb, these miraculous men regularly take walks and hikes to reach destinations across the mountains. Hence, the researchers are presuming that in all probability their power of longevity could be the outcome of their rosemary-rich diet not to forget fresh air, a little bit of sunshine and regular exercise.
