So, the Melis family holds the record for being the oldest family in the world. And what’s their secret? They’ve been eating the same meal every day for their entire lives. Sounds wild, right? But maybe there’s something to it.
Now, we all know there’s more to living a long life than just one meal — things like genetics, exercise, and lifestyle all matter too. But for the Melis family, sticking to their daily meal seems to have worked.
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At one point, they even held a Guinness World Record with a combined age of 818 years!
You might recognize them from a Netflix documentary
You might have caught the Melis family in the Netflix docuseries Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones. Blue zones are places where people live longer than average, and Sardinia, where the Melis family is from, is one of the most famous ones.
Their meal was plant-based and full of vitamins
So what exactly was this meal? It was plant-based, super simple, and packed with vitamins.
Buettner, a researcher on longevity, explained: “Every day of their life they had the same meal for their lunch. A sourdough bread, a three-bean minestrone soup – a chunky minestrone with garden vegetables. It always had three beans; a garbanzo, a pinto, and a white bean.
And then they had a small glass of red wine. I’m talking a two to three-ounce glass. Now this wasn’t because ‘my diet requires me to do it.’ No, they loved it.”
Beans play a key role in their healthy diet
Samantha Cassetty, a New York City dietitian, told Today.com why beans are so important:
“People who live the longest, healthiest lives tend to eat half a cup to a cup of beans daily. It’s also noteworthy that the soup uses three types of beans and multiple vegetables. Research suggests that eating 30 unique plant foods per week can improve your gut diversity, a marker of a healthy gut.
Your gut regulates health functions, like blood pressure and cholesterol, inflammation, mood, weight, and nutrient absorption, so you’ll be more likely to live a longer and healthier life if you have a healthy gut.”
Pinto, garbanzo, and white beans all have health benefits
The beans in the Melis family’s soup are loaded with benefits. Pinto beans are full of protein, fiber, and have no cholesterol. Garbanzo beans are just as good.
White beans are called a “nutritional powerhouse” because they’re packed with fiber, protein, and nutrients like folate, magnesium, and vitamin B6.
The Melis family wasn’t following a strict diet, they loved their meal
It wasn’t about being on a strict diet for the Melis family. They didn’t eat this meal because it was “healthy” — they just loved it. Buettner said: “Every day of their life they had the same meal for their lunch. A sourdough bread, a three-bean minestrone soup – a chunky minestrone with garden vegetables. It always had three beans; a garbanzo, a pinto, and a white bean. And then they had a small glass of red wine.”
Sardinia’s lifestyle may contribute to their longevity
Sardinia isn’t just famous for the food. The lifestyle there is also a big factor. People in Sardinia are active, spend time with family and friends, and live at a much slower, more relaxed pace. All that stuff probably helps them live longer, too.
The Melis family members have passed away in recent years
Unfortunately, some of the Melis family members have passed away. Consolata Melis, the oldest of them all, died at 108 in 2015. She had been the longest-living person in her town. Her sister Claudina passed away in 2016 at 103, Maria at 100, and Antonio at 97.
Eating diverse plant foods supports gut health
The Melis family’s diet does more than just fill them up — it supports gut health. Eating a variety of plant foods helps make your gut diverse, which is super important for your overall health.
The gut affects everything: mood, blood pressure, cholesterol, and even how well you absorb nutrients.
So, taking care of your gut might just help you live longer, too!
