🇨🇷Costa Rica (Nicoya) Longevity Practices
The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica is a Blue Zone where middle-aged men have the lowest death rate in the world. The Nicoyan longevity advantage starts with plan de vida — a strong sense of purpose that keeps elders actively contributing to family and community life well into their 90s and beyond. The diet is anchored by the 'three sisters' of Mesoamerican agriculture: corn, beans, and squash. Nixtamalization of corn — an ancient process of soaking in lime water — unlocks niacin and adds bioavailable calcium. The local water is among the hardest in Costa Rica, naturally rich in calcium and magnesium. Faith communities provide weekly social gatherings that reinforce belonging and reduce isolation.
Region
Central America (Blue Zone)
Life Expectancy
Nicoya men at 60 have the world's lowest mid-life mortality
Key Longevity Practices
Plan de vida (reason to live)
Calcium-rich water
Nixtamalized corn tortillas
Beans and rice as dietary foundation
Strong family bonds
Physical labor into old age
Early to bed and early to rise
Traditional Longevity Foods
Research Highlights
Nicoyan men at 60 are 7x more likely to reach 100 than their Japanese counterparts
Nixtamalized corn provides 7x more bioavailable niacin than untreated corn
High calcium/magnesium content in local water correlates with lower heart disease rates
Plan de vida strongly correlates with reduced stress hormones and longer telomeres
Related Products
Products aligned with Costa Rica (Nicoya)'s longevity traditions, recommended by leading health experts.
Recommended Products
Probiotics (Multi-Strain)
supplements
Vitamin D3 (5000 IU)
supplements
Magnesium (Threonate/Glycinate)
supplements
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Further Reading
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