Dan Buettner answers your questions on blue zones and the secret to longevity

In our new Ask an Expert Anything series, Dan Buettner weighs in on how to apply the blue zones principles to your own life—from your diet to your community.

Health · Ask an Expert Anything · By National Geographic Staff, Dan Buettner and Intuitive Content · Published October 23, 2025 · 1 min read

Topics: Longevity, Longevity and Aging, Wellness, Health, Mental Health, Family Health, Embedded Video, Video, Ask an Expert Anything

What can you do right now to ensure that you live a longer, healthier life? National Geographic Explorer Dan Buettner can answer that question better than anyone. Buettner first set out to unlock the secrets to longevity 20 years ago, resulting in a blockbuster cover story on the world’s blue zones. Since then, he has launched a podcast and published multiple best-selling books based on his groundbreaking research—including his latest, The Blue Zones Kitchen One Pot Meals: 100 Recipes to Live to 100. National Geographic subscribers have long been fascinated by Buettner’s research—and now, we’ve given them a chance to pose their own questions directly to Buettner. In our new Ask an Expert Anything series, Buettner weighs in on everything from what surprised him the most in his longevity research to whether he actually follows the blue zones principles in his own daily life. Want to submit questions for our next expert? Become a subscriber today!

Videos in this story: Blue zones expert Dan Buettner answers your questions on the secret to longevity