His work revealed five places around the world – dubbed Blue Zones – where people live the longest, healthiest, happiest lives.
Diet plays a significant role. A nutritional regimen based on a plant-based diet (high amounts of complex carbohydrates, medium amounts of protein, and medium amounts of fat) rose to the top as commonalities among these areas.
Specifically, the following are key components:
- whole grains
- greens
- nuts
- cooked beans (which is the cornerstone of all areas)
Another life factor Dan researched was happiness and the characteristics that accompany a fulfilled, happy existence.
Listen as Dan joins Dr. Friedman to discuss the nutritional and lifestyle habits of healthy, happy people.

Dan Buettner is an explorer, National Geographic Fellow, award-winning journalist and producer, and New York Times bestselling author. He discovered the five places in the world – dubbed Blue Zones – where people live the longest, healthiest lives. His articles about these places in The New York Times Magazine and National Geographic are two of the most popular for both publications.