Once these areas were established, Buettner and his team studied and identified the lifestyle characteristics that might explain the longevity of those living in each location, including their diets, levels of physical activity, social networks, views on life’s purpose and more. His findings are fascinating, but to make things even better, they are simple and often fun to achieve, particularly with the help of his most recent book, Blue Zones Challenge.

When antioxidants are far outnumbered, free radicals can attack the body’s fatty tissue, protein or even DNA. Once compromised, the body becomes more susceptible to various diseases over time, such as heart disease, diabetes and hypertension, to name a few. Sweet cherries are rich in polyphenols and vitamin C, which have powerful antioxidant properties. Studies have shown that eating them can increase antioxidant capacity and reduce oxidative stress, bringing the body back into a healthy balance.