A New Longevity Blue Zone in Martinique (France)
Recent demographic research has confirmed that Martinique, a French overseas department, exhibits exceptional longevity, comparable to the four previously recognized Blue Zones: Sardinia, Ogliastra (Italy), Okinawa (Japan), Nicoya Peninsula (Costa Rica), and Ikaria (Greece).
These studies, based on careful validation of birth and death data, demonstrate that individuals born in Martinique have a significantly higher chance of reaching 100 years or older compared to those in mainland France. While this research primarily focuses on longevity, the contributing factors (genetics, lifestyle, environment) may also be relevant for understanding healthy aging, which is important in the context of public health.
Researchers suggest that naast the genetic factors may play a crucial role in the longevity observed in Martinique and Guadeloupe, alongside typical Blue Zone factors like diet and climate. One hypothesis, known as "slavery selection," posits that the current population descends from enslaved Africans who survived harsh conditions. This led to strong selection, where only the most robust individuals survived and reproduced. If there is a link between this robustness and longevity, it could explain the high prevalence of (super)centenarians. Further genetic studies are needed to substantiate this hypothesis.
Research conducted by demographers such as Michel Poulain, Anne Herm, and Jacques Vallin has shown that Martinique meets the criteria for a Blue Zone.
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