BLUE ZONES®
What is different about communities where people live especially long lives?
「藍區」概念 這個擁有高比例長壽人口的地帶， 有何特別之處？
Everyone wants to live a long, healthy life, and so it's no surprise that researchers are looking into ways to make that happen. One approach is to study areas where people have longer-than-average lifespans known as blue zones and see what these communities do to promote longevity.
Dan Buettner’s book The Blue Zones® introduced the concept of blue zones — five regions spread out across three continents where people live unusually long and healthy lives. In one early phase of their research, researchers identified these places and marked them on a map with blue circles, which inspired the term blue zones.
After identifying the blue zones, Buettner investigated their cultures, seeking insight into why their people are so healthy and long-lived. His team identified nine commonplace lifestyle practices known as the “Power 9,” which create supportive environments that foster physical, mental and emotional health.
Although the details varied, a common feature in the diets of people in blue zones is they follow primarily or exclusively plant-based diets. Those who eat meat typically only do so four or five times a month. They also typically either fast regularly or limit the amount they eat. For example, in Okinawa, one of the blue zones, people make a point of eating only until they feel 80 percent full. Additionally, they drink wine in moderation.
每個人都希望自己能活得長壽又健康，因此研究人員試圖找出讓人們達到這個目標的方法，也就不令人意外了。其中一種做法，是研究那些居民平均壽命明顯較長的地區，這些地方被稱為「藍區」（Blue Zones），看看這些社區是怎麼促進長壽的。
Dan Buettner 的著作《The Blue Zones®》首次提出「藍區」的概念，指出在三大洲中分布著五個地區，那裡的人們普遍活得特別長且健康。在研究的早期階段，研究員先辨識出這些地點，並在地圖上用藍色圓圈標記，從而誕生了「藍區」這個名稱。
在確認哪些地區屬於藍區後，Buettner 進一步研究當地的文化，想了解為什麼這些地方的人們能保持如此健康又長壽。他的研究團隊找出了九項共同的生活方式習慣，被稱為「力量九」（Power 9），這些習慣創造出有助於身心健康的支持性環境，涵蓋身體、心理與情緒層面。
雖然細節因地區而異，但藍區居民的飲食模式有一個共同點：大多以植物性食物為主，有些甚至完全吃素。即便會吃肉的人，也通常一個月只吃四、五次。此外，他們也常常進行斷食，或刻意控制食量。例如，在作為藍區之一的沖繩，人們習慣「吃到八分飽」就停止。除此之外，他們也會適量飲用葡萄酒。
Language Lab
Longevity n. 長壽；壽命長久
/lɑːnˈdʒev.ə.ti/
the ability to live for a long time; the length of a person’s life.
- Longevity runs in my family — all four of my grandparents lived until their late 90s.
我們家族很長壽——我四位祖父母都活到九十多歲。
for the long haul idiom / phrase 長期地；著眼長遠；持久地
not short-term; something you stay with for a long time
- Building longevity in a career requires commitment for the long haul.
要在職涯中建立長久的持續力，需要長期的投入與承諾。
stand the test of time idiom / phrase 經得起時間考驗；歷久不衰；長久受到肯定
to remain strong, popular, effective, or respected for a long period of time.
- Her designs have stood the test of time, admired across generations.
她的設計經得起時間的考驗，受到好幾代人的喜愛。
communities n.
a group of people who live in the same place or share common interests, values, or identity.
- Researchers study blue zones and see what these communities do to promote longevity.
研究人員研究藍色地帶，看看這些社區是如何促進長壽的。
it's no surprise phrase / expression
something is expected or not shocking.
- Everyone wants to live a long, healthy life, and so it’s no surprise that researchers are looking into ways to make that happen.
每個人都想活得長壽又健康，因此研究人員努力研究如何做到這一點也就不足為奇了。
lifespan n. 壽命；生命長度；生命週期
/ˈlaɪfˌspænz/
the length of time a person, animal, or thing is expected to live.
- areas where people have longer-than-average lifespans
人們壽命比平均值更長的地區
- The average lifespan of a turtle is much longer than that of most mammals.
烏龜的平均壽命比大多數哺乳動物長得多。
promote v.
to help something grow, develop, or become more successful.
- These communities do certain things to promote longevity.
這些社區透過某些做法來促進長壽。
phase n. 階段、時期、階段性部分
/feɪz/
A phase is a distinct period or stage in a process of development, change, or progression.
- Phase 2 of the building development will begin in 2027.
建築開發的第二階段將在 2027 年開始。
go through a phase phrasal expression / idiom 經歷一段時期（通常指暫時的、階段性的行為或情緒變化）
To experience a temporary period of change in behavior, emotions, or interests, especially as part of normal development.
- The mother picked up the screaming child sprawled on the store floor and said to nearby customers, “She’s just going through a phase.”
媽媽把在店裡地板上大喊大叫的小孩抱起來，對附近的客人說：「她只是正在經歷一個階段而已。」
phase out phrasal verb 逐步淘汰、逐步停止使用、逐漸廢除
To gradually stop using, producing, or providing something.
- The company plans on phasing out its older models to focus on offering newer ones to customers.
公司計劃逐步淘汰較舊的機型，以便專注於向顧客提供較新的產品。
spread out phrasal verb
1. To extend or distribute over a large area
2. To move apart so there is more space between people or things
3. To unfold or lay something flat
- The five blue zones are spread out across three continents.
這五個藍色地帶分布在三個大洲。
insight n. 洞察力、深入了解、見解、洞見
A deep understanding of a person or thing
- Her insight into human behavior is impressive.
她對人類行為的洞察力令人印象深刻。
commonplace adj. 普通的；常見的；司空見慣的
Something that happens often and is not unusual.
- Good communication skills are becoming increasingly commonplace in modern workplaces.
良好的溝通能力在現代職場中越來越普遍。
foster v. 促進、培養、培育、助長
To encourage the development of something; to help something grow or develop.
- Creating a supportive environment can foster physical, mental, and emotional health.
建立一個支持性的環境能夠促進身體、心理和情緒的健康。
make a point of (doing) something (phrasal expression) 特別注意去做某事；刻意去做；堅持一定要做
To make a special effort to do something because you think it is important.
- She makes a point of exercising every day.
她特別堅持每天運動。
exclusively adv. 僅僅；專門地；排他地
/ɪkˈskluːsɪvli/
Used to mean only, with no others included.
- Our organization’s outreach efforts are funded exclusively by private donations from our loyal supporters.
我們組織的外展活動完全由忠實支持者的私人捐款資助。
exclusive adj. 專屬的、獨有的、排外的
/ɪkˈskluː.sɪv/
exclusive means something that is available only to a particular group of people, not shared with others.
- Though she knew it would open doors for her future, she hated attending the exclusive school where she couldn’t relate to her wealthy classmates.
儘管她知道那所學校會為她的未來帶來更多機會，她仍然討厭去念那間「菁英專屬」的學校，因為她無法與那些富有的同學產生共鳴。
exclusive n. 獨家新聞
An exclusive is a news story that is published by only one media outlet and not shared with others.
- His exclusive on corruption in city government was published by the Chicago City Wire.
他那篇關於市政府貪腐的 獨家報導 被《Chicago City Wire》刊登了。
feature n. 特點、特色、特徵
A feature is a noticeable or important characteristic of something.
- This phone’s best feature is its long battery life.
這支手機最好的特色是電池續航力很長。
diet n. 飲食，日常飲食
/ˈdaɪ.ət/
The kinds of food that a person or animal usually eats.
- A balanced diet is important for good health.
均衡飲食對健康很重要。
fast v. 禁食、斷食、齋戒
To eat no food for a period of time, often for religious or health reasons.
- Many people fast for health benefits.
很多人為健康利益而進行禁食。
moderation n. 適度、節制、適量、不過度
not too much and not too little; the quality of doing something in a balanced way.
- Eating in moderation can help improve overall health.
適量飲食有助於提升整體健康。
make a point of + V-ing phrasal expression 特別注意去做；刻意去做；堅持一定要做
To make a special effort to do something because you think it’s important.
- She makes a point of exercising every day.
她特別堅持每天運動。
- He made a point of thanking everyone who helped him.
他特別去感謝每一位幫助過他的人。
make a point (about something) 提出重點；說明一個觀點；強調某事
To express an important idea or opinion clearly.
- During the meeting, she made a point about starting earlier.
在會議中，她提出了要更早開始的重點。
- He made a good point.
他提出了一個很好的觀點。
