The secret to turning 100 years old could be nestled in the diet of a small Japanese island’s centenarians, as longevity expert Dan Buettner uncovers the remarkable dietary habits that fuel their extended lifespans. During his global quest to unlock the mysteries of prolonged life, Buettner’s journey led him to Okinawa, Japan, famed for its extraordinary number of residents who live beyond 100 years.

The key to their longevity appears to be the humble Beni Imo, or purple sweet potato, which astonishingly constitutes 67% of their diet—a stark contrast to the mere 3% it represents in the diets of other Japanese regions. On his Netflix series “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones,” Buettner highlights the superfood’s virtues, noting, “These sweet potatoes are full of complex carbohydrates and fibre, and they even have 150% more of the active anti-oxidants than blueberries do.”

Delving into the reasons behind the Okinawans’ preference for this tuber, he proposes a compelling explanation: “Perhaps the main reasons Okinawans ate so much Beni Imo is because sweet potatoes are typhoon proof, the Beni Imo was safe underground.”

Yukie Miyaguni, a diet expert from the island, credited the superfood with rescuing the islanders during a period of food scarcity, stating: “Well, Okinawa had a period of food shortage, and we were saved by these potatoes.”

Additionally, the expert highlighted the significance of other Okinawan staples, such as mulberry leaves for soothing sore throats and squid ink soup for detoxification, reports Surrey Live.