Connecticut Among Best States In U.S. To Live To 100: Study

CONNECTICUT — A new study has placed Connecticut in its rankings of America’s future blue zones, with the state coming in fourth place, according to Forbes Health.

A blue zone is an area where people live longer and better than average, with residents consistently reaching 100 years old. Connecticut is considered among the leaders for U.S. states poised to become future blue zones.

Here's what Forbes Health had to say about the Nutmeg State:

"The East Coast winning streak continues with Connecticut ranking highly for its percentage of people meeting daily fruit intake recommendations (16%). It also ranked well for the percentage of people meeting daily vegetable intake recommendations and its community wellbeing. However, its walkability score and amount of vegan/vegetarian restaurants per capita were both lower than the states that ranked higher on this list."

Overall, New England fares well in the analysis. Here's the full top 10 blue zones in the U.S.:

1. Vermont
2. New York
3. Massachusetts
4. Connecticut
5. Rhode Island
6. New Hampshire
7. Oregon
8. Hawaii
9. Maine
10. California

The Forbes Health analysis included factors such as access to whole, plant-based foods, physical activity, a sense of community, and sleep. It also weighed life expectancy in all states.

Vermont came in first in part due to its residents' prolific consumption of vegetables.

Jackie Newgent, a plant-forward registered dietitian nutritionist, author, and Forbes Health Advisory Board member, had this to say about diets associated with longer lives: “There are many reasons why eating less meat and more plants can potentially help you live longer, but it’s partly associated with the benefits on the gut microbiome and the anti-inflammatory effects of plant-based eating.”

Read the full study at Forbes Health.

In 2022, five Connecticut counties ranked among the healthiest in the nation, according to a CVS Health analysis.

See related: 5 CT Counties Among Healthiest Communities In 2022: U.S. News