"To Live Long"... 3 Secrets to Longevity of 119-Year-Old 'Chasing Oldest Record'

Argentine media outlet Infobae reported that a 119-year-old elderly man in Costa Rica, who is challenging the record for the world's oldest living person, has once again reminded people of the very ordinary truths of longevity.

The protagonist is Jose Flores, who resides in Costa Rica.

Born on July 11, 1907, he lost his parents at a young age and has spent his entire life doing physical labor in rural areas.

Although his hearing has declined somewhat and his knee joints are worn, requiring him to use a walking aid, he continues his daily routine of taking walks and greeting neighbors.

His great-granddaughter, Helen Flores, lives by his side and takes care of him.

The Gerontology Research Group (GRG), an international longevity authentication organization, is currently verifying his age and birth records.

Once verified, Flores is very likely to become the official world's oldest living person.

The current official oldest living person is British grandmother Ethel Caterham, who will turn 117 on August 21.

The official oldest grandfather is Joao Marinho Neto of Brazil, who is 113 years old.

The all-time longevity record is held by Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to be 122 years and 164 days old and died in 1997.

Flores' diet is not extraordinary.

His breakfast consists solely of 'gallo pinto', a traditional Costa Rican dish of stir-fried rice and beans, along with fresh cheese and fried plantains, and he does not take dietary supplements or follow special diets.

He cited his secrets to longevity as "working hard, believing in God, and eating healthily."

Experts pay attention not to his Central American traditional diet itself, but to the lifestyle habits he has maintained.

Flores has maintained an active lifestyle, walking about 1 km a day to visit the local senior center until he was 113 years old.

Guanacaste Province, where he resides, is adjacent to the Nicoya Peninsula, which is known as a 'Blue Zone' (an area with a statistically high population of centenarians), a globally recognized longevity region.

Residents of this region share common traits: they eat a diet centered on grains, legumes, and vegetables, consistently keep their bodies active through farming and housework, and maintain a family- and community-centered life.

However, because Flores left his hometown in his youth and did not return until 2024 when he was over 100 years old, some researchers suggest he is not a product of the Blue Zone and his longevity should not be interpreted as a direct result of it.

Longevity researcher Dan Buettner explains, based on Danish twin studies and other research, that about 75% of longevity is influenced by the living environment and lifestyle habits, while genetic factors account for only 20 to 25%.

Recent studies of the Sardinia Blue Zone in Italy have also shown that social relationships, psychological stability, and openness to new experiences are associated with healthy aging.

Experts note that no single food guarantees longevity, and that a combination of regular meals, consistent physical activity, community interaction, and psychological stability contribute to longevity, according to Infobae.

(Photo: Online capture, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.