'Blue zone' expert reveals best affordable snack you can eat 'to live to 100 years old' and why it's so good for you

As Freddie Mercury once said, who wants to live forever? A lot of people apparently, which is why one 'blue zone' expert has shared their tips on what you can eat to help you live to 100 years old.

Dan Buettner, the presenter of the popular Netflix documentary How to Live to 100, and founder of Blue Zones recently shared his expert advice revealing the best snack to add to your diet which can help you live to 100.

Of course, it's not the first time we've heard advice that claims to help you live to become one of the oldest people on the planet, but it's certainly one of the most interesting claims.

Dan Buettner is an American author who is well known for his research into the blue zones, as well for holding three Guinness records for distance cycling. So it's safe to say this dude knows a thing or two about being healthy.

What is a blue zone?

In case you're wondering, blue zones are known as areas on Earth where a large percentage of the planet live to an older age than the average person.

There are allegedly five blue zones: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California.

There have been some concerns around the flaws in data collection when it comes to determining these blue zones, with some of the 'eldest people' in these locations actually being dead, even though government records has them as still being alive.

While it's unclear how much of a difference these data flaws actually make, one thing is for sure, there are clearly parts of the world where they've got healthy eating down to a fine art, and are reaping the benefits into a ripe old age.

Why do people live for so long in blue zones?

Research has suggested that people living in blue zones have managed to live to an older age due to factors which impact their diet and lifestyle in these areas.

People living in these parts of the world are much more likely to enjoy plant-based eating, be much more active, and even enjoy a much better sense of community, which experts have said helps to create an 'environment of health'.

Spinach, kale, beet and turnip tops, chard, and collard are popular in blue zones, according to the official website.

In the Greek blue zone Ikaria, 75 varieties of edible green are said to grow 'like weeds'.

Olive oil was also found to be a key part of people's diet in some of the blue zones and beans were also important.

Soybeans are big in Okinawa, black beans in Nicoya, while lentils, garbanzo, and white beans were popular in the Mediterranean blue zones.

What cheap snack can help you live to 100 years old?

Get you're popcorn ready, because it's time to reveal the best snack to help you live to 100 years old, according to blue zone expert Dan Buettner.

And the answer is... well, it's popcorn, so if you listened to me, you're welcome.

Dan Buettner states that popcorn is is the 'best snack to live to 100, as it is high in fibre and polyphenol content, affordable and extremely convenient.

He goes on to explain: "Air-popped popcorn is incredibly rich in fibre, it's packed with complex carbohydrates, and it even surpasses many vegetables in polyphenol content."

Of course, popcorn alone isn't suddenly going make you live until you're 100 and make you super health, it can simply help according to Dan Buettner.

Just in case any of you were thinking you could stock up on popcorn, booze and vapes, sadly it would need to be accompanied with a healthy lifestyle.