London - People living in a remote Italian town are to be studied in order to try and discover why they live so long.
Situated on the western coast of southern Italy, the town of Acciaroli has a disproportionately high number - 300 - of centenarians in its population of about 2 000. The study, to be conducted by American and Italian scientists, will attempt to find out why so many have hit the 100 mark.
In comparison, most British women are not expected to live past the age of 83, while the life expectancy for men is 79 years old.
Acciaroli is renowned for its low rates of heart disease and Alzheimer's, but it is the first time researchers will have studied the local population.
The goal of this long-term study is to find out why this group of 300 is living so long by conducting a full genetic analysis and examining lifestyle behaviours, like diet and exercise, Doctor Alan Maisel, lead professor of cardiovascular medicine at San Diego School of Medicine, said.
The results from studying the longevity of this group could be applied to our practice at San Diego and to patients all over the world.
The villagers eat the famed Mediterranean diet, heavy in fish and olive oil and renowned for being healthy. Dishes are often infused with rosemary, a herb said to have a number of properties which could contribute towards improved health in old age.
Previous research by Japanese scientists suggested compounds in carnosic acid - present in rosemary - help slow brain ageing and improve memory. Carnosic acid can also improve eye health and fend off free radical brain damage. Other studies have indicated rosemary has anti-inflammatory and tumour-fighting properties.
However, residents of Acciaroli - a town believed by some to have inspired Ernest Hemingway novel The Old Man And The Sea -are also believed to live longer as a result of the hiking and hill walking they do.
The study will involve tests to look at metabolomics, biomes, cognitive dysfunction and protein biomarkers for risks of heart disease, Alzheimer's, kidney disease and cancer in participants. In addition, residents will fill in questionnaires and donate blood samples for analysis.
This project will not only help to unlock some of the secrets of healthy ageing, but will build closer ties with researchers across the globe, which will lead to more science and improved clinical care in our ageing population, explained Dr Salvatore DiSomma, the lead Italian investigator and professor of emergency medicine at the University of Rome.
The Independent