‘In five years I’ve been to five 100th birthday parties’: We reveal secrets of the Italian village where locals just keep living
As scientists are set to study this phenonemon, we visit Acciaroli, where the locals just keep on living
AS Luigia Viciconte playfully throws a punch, it is hard to believe she turns 101 this year.
The great-grandmother is one of an increasing number of centenarians living in Acciaroli, a town in the province of Salerno, Southern Italy.
She credits her long, healthy life to her love of action films — and fancying Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Luigia says: “I love violent movies. Guns, punches . . . the more action the better. I stay up late every night watching them on the TV. I like to see muscles on the screen.”
There are thought be more than 300 people over the age of 90 in Acciaroli, and a handful reaching their centenary.
But action films aside, just how are these pasta-loving, statin-popping Italians living so long? And is there anything we can learn from them to extend our lives?
Luigia, who celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family, said: “It is normal to live this long here. My husband died when he was 90 so we had a long time together. He was happy, which made me happy. My siblings also lived into their 90s.
“The one thing we all have in common is that we have never eaten much. It seems the less you eat, the older you grow.”
The benefits of the Mediterranean diet have been well documented and a love of fresh vegetables, fish and lashings of olive oil seem to have worked wonders here.
The average life expectancy in the district is rising rapidly. Figures show the average man now reaches the age of 79.6 and the average woman 84.3 — around two-and-a-half years older than 12 years ago. This is a combined total of 1.2 years more than in Britain. Rates of heart disease and dementia are lower than average too.
Now scientists hoping to deepen understanding of how ageing works are studying the lifestyles of Salerno residents.
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Researchers from the University of California, San Diego and the Sapienza University of Rome are collecting blood samples from locals and examining their dietary and lifestyle preferences.
Luigia, right, who lives in Ascea, 20 minutes from Acciaroli, says: “I have never eaten processed foods and, until 18 months ago, regularly made my own pasta. I eat fish once or twice a week and lots of vegetables. This has been the case all my life. Coffee is one of my favourite things and I am addicted, having four cups a day.”
Professor Ancel Keys, an American scientist, was one of the first people to look into Mediterranean diets back in the Fifties. He concluded they are low in animal fat and protect against heart disease.
After following a Mediterranean diet and spending nearly three decades in Pioppi, a small coastal village ten minutes east of Acciaroli, Professor Keys died in 2004 – two months before his 101st birthday.
Mayor of Acciaroli Stefano Pisani says: “People in this town age well for four reasons — they work hard and are very active, their diet is good for their health, they have good genes and there is minimal pollution here.
“Although people in other countries can adopt some of this, the air we breathe here is clean and I believe it is a big factor in ageing well.
“Dementia is virtually unheard of here and the old people are happy, with their families around them.
“In the past five years I have been to five 100th birthday parties. Those people were in such good health it was hard to tell the difference between them and a 70-year-old.”
Raffaella Maiorino manages Hotel La Pineta in Acciaroli. She says: “The quality of life here in Acciaroli is high.
“We try to teach our guests about the quality of life of our residents so they take it home with them.
“They can’t take away the fresh air but they can learn about our way of life to help them live long and healthy lives.
“We only cook with local ingredients and serve local wines. We also introduce guests to our olive oil, mozzarella and fresh fish — all important parts of healthy Mediterranean living.”
In five years I've been to five 100th birthday parties
Mayor Stefano Pisani
Antonio, 100 and Amina, 94
RETIRED fisherman Antonio Vassallo has been married to wife Amina for 66 years.
He celebrated his 100th birthday in February, while his wife is a youthful 94.
He says: “We don’t eat processed food and serve everything with lots of olive oil. I would rather have bread than croissants, for example.
“We only eat veg that is in season. My wife uses lots of basil, parsley and rosemary in her cooking which are main ingredients in the Mediterranean diet. She even makes her own suet to cook with. I have a little piece of milk chocolate when I fancy it but don’t drink any more as it makes me feel dizzy. I do not take vitamins as I get everything from my diet.”
Asked what the secret to a long life is, Antonio says: “There is no secret – but I do think an argument a day keeps the doctor away.” Amina agrees, adding: “We argue every day – it keeps our minds young, but we always make up before going to bed.
“Our health has always been good. I hurt my hip giving birth, which affects my walking, but apart from that, I am fine. Antonio only quit fishing two years ago.
“It is hard to pinpoint why we have lived so long in good health. Maybe it is because we don’t eat processed food but that is normal for us.
“My aunt lived until she was 99 and my mother died in her 90s. Maybe it is in our blood to live this long.
“Keeping your mind sharp is a good thing – I write poems and memorise them.
“Love definitely helps. And love is not love unless you argue.”
Diet is Med in heaven
Dr Alessandro Notaro is a retired GP from Salerno who helped Prof Keys with his research. He says:
The Mediterranean diet has played a big part in living long, healthy lives and has been studied by scientists since the 1950s.
Obesity is disgusting and is a cause of death. We are slim, active and our diet is full of fresh produce, including fish and vegetables. It is also low in saturated fat.
We don’t eat meat pumped full of hormones or antibiotics. We also don’t tip lots of salt on our plates because too much salt can lead to strokes. Many consume vegetables grown in soil that isn’t treated with pesticides – pesticides have been linked to cancer.
We also don’t drink too much. Wine is packed full of calories. Although red wine contains antioxidants, it shouldn’t be drunk in excess.
For optimum health, I suggest people have protein for lunch, such as fish and veg. A small portion of pasta with vegetables should be eaten in the evenings.
Evidence shows fasting, or eating smaller portions, could help you live longer. Ancel Keys made people fast for months to see the effect it had on their health. He was strict with his diet, and it paid off. He was in his 90s when he died and his wife, Margaret, passed away in her late 90s.
People here take their heart health seriously and go for check-ups. But a lifestyle that helps prevent the onset of disease is better than 7 popping pills.
Guiseppe, 93
SPRIGHTLY Guiseppe “Peppino” Vassallo believes his love of women has helped him live a long life.
The retired fisherman said: “I have had many girlfriends. I might be getting old but I feel young and physical pleasures have helped me live on.
“I am still active. I spend time in my garden attending to my fruits and vegetables and my diet is based around vegetables.
“I eat fish quite a bit as I’m on the coast but I rarely eat meat. And olive oil is like medicine – I have it every day.” Guiseppe’s wife of 67 years, Maria, died of brain cancer seven years ago.
He says: “It was important for me to stay in Acciaroli after Maria died. The air here is pure, which helps you live a long life.
“I also have my friends. Every afternoon, I get involved in a card game at the café.”
Francesco, 103
FORMER farmer Francesco De Santi, who lives in nearby village Monte Cicerale, turns 104 next month.
Despite being slightly hard of hearing, he still has a full head of hair and a zest for life.
Francesco puts his ripe old age down to a fit and active lifestyle, as well as the community he lives in.
He says: “I have always been surrounded by friends and family and there is always good harmony in this village.
“I live in the same house I was born in – it’s been in my family for generations.
“I have always had a big appetite and really enjoy food, even now, but I never eat processed food.
“My health is good. I take a tablet for my heart but I know it is strong because I spent my youth working in the fields. It kept me fit.
“I was always singing and dancing, too. I now walk with two sticks but would dance if I could.”
Michela, 99
SOON to celebrate her 100th birthday, Michela Vassallo lives by the sea in Acciaroli.
The mother of five worked as a farmer in her youth. Her parents also lived until their 90s.
She says: “I have always eaten well as I grew my own vegetables. I’d eat everything from tomatoes to aubergines, courgettes, garlic and onions.
“Working the land kept me fit and strong when I was younger.
“I eat meat on Sundays but meat has never been a large part of my diet.
“Snacking is a recent thing for me. I have a sweet tooth and like things like croissants and biscuits.
“I didn’t have the time or money to snack when I was younger – we only used to eat cake when there was a celebration. It wasn’t eaten every day.
“Now I enjoy a daily treat – I figure it can’t do me any harm at this age.”
Maria, 94
WORKING in the family restaurant is part of everyday life for Maria Vassallo.
She spends three hours a day making pasta for Acciaroli’s La Taverne.
Maria, whose sister is Michela Vassallo, above, says: “I don’t feel 94 as I am still working. I make three kilos of pasta a day. I am on my feet while I do it.
“It is good to be active. I would not like to be any other way.
“Whatever the land grows is what we eat so when it gives us peppers, we eat peppers.
“Pasta is my favourite food. I don’t understand why so many people try to cut that and bread out of their diets – it is like medicine for the heart and it is silly not to eat it.
“My doctor says I am in good health. I take a pill for my blood pressure but my cholesterol is good.
“I get around ten hours’ sleep a night and my hearing is excellent.”
Tips from Salerno
HERE are some tips from Salerno to help you live a long life in good health:
EAT SMALLER PORTIONS
Everyone we spoke to in the region of Acciaroli said they only eat small meals.
Research shows that fasting could help you live a long life and reduce the chances of developing cancer and heart disease.
FOCUS ON VEG
The Mediterranean diet focuses heavily on fresh vegetables – the older people we met sometimes had just a plate of veg covered in olive oil as meal.
Research shows that consuming seven portions of fruit and veg per day reduces the risk of premature death by a third. Fruit and veg also protects against heart disease and cancer.
Acciaroli residents made it clear they only ate home-grown produce, with concerns about pesticides found in shop-bought fruit and veg.
Wash any fresh produce you eat – there is evidence to suggest that consuming pesticides can lead to cancer.
DRINK IN MODERATION
Salerno’s centenarians do not drink much – but when they do, they go for a small glass of red.
It is well known that red wine contains resveratrol, an antioxidant which is said to protect against cancer. Having one drink six times a week has a protective effect on the heart and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, according to researchers from Harvard.
AVOID THE GYM
Every person we spoke to in Acciaroli emphasised the importance of remaining active – but none endorsed the gym. One 84-year-old resident still walks 7km a day to her piece of land, where she grows her own vegetables and olives.
Research shows that a brisk 25-minute walk each day can add seven years to your life.
And simply standing, rather than sitting, could mean additional years.
EMBRACE THE MORNINGS
You might groan and hit snooze when your alarm goes off but the residents of Acciaroli are up with the sparrows. Research shows that getting up early is linked to good health.
According to a study published in the journal Emotion, early risers are happier and more positive than those who roll out of bed later.
But make sure you get enough sleep – those who get fewer than six hours per night increase their risk of premature death by 12 per cent.
MINIMISE STRESS
The streets of Italy’s towns and villages are sleepy. The shops shut for a long lunch and most activity takes place in the morning and late afternoon.
Few people have internet access at home and many don’t own telephones.
Their simple way of life means that the daily stress encountered by many Brits just doesn’t exist – and the benefits are evident in their long, healthy lives.
SOCIALISE
Seeing friends and family is absolutely key to growing old healthily in Italy.
Families in the Acciaroli area are close-knit and even relatives who live further away are in touch regularly.
Studies show that being lonely increases the risk of death by around a third. But having an active social life doesn’t just benefit your lifespan, it gives your general health a boost too.
BOOK A CHECK-UP
Most of the people we interviewed were taking statins – even though they did not have diagnosed heart conditions.
The pills, which work to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease, can lengthen lifespan.
A US study found that the risk of dying was slashed by half when on statins.
Eight million Brits are said to be taking the pills. But they are controversial as some experts believe they may do more harm than good when taken by fit and healthy people.
Rather than rushing to the doctor to demand a prescription, book a health check-up instead.
Making sure you have healthy blood pressure and cholesterol readings is vital if you want to live a long and healthy life.