Heart Health Secrets of the Bolivian Tsimane People

Recent scientific studies reveal that the Tsimane people, who live in the forests of Bolivia, possess the healthiest hearts in the world. This finding, published in The Lancet in 2017, has sparked considerable interest in their lifestyle and dietary habits. Researchers claim that the Tsimane people exhibit minimal signs of arterial clogging, even during old age, a condition closely linked to heart disease in many other populations.

Discovering the Tsimane People

The research team embarked on an unprecedented journey to study the Tsimane people. After numerous flights and a canoe journey, they reached the Maniqui River in the Bolivian lowlands, where around 16,000 individuals primarily hunt fish and farm along the Amazon rainforest. Their lifestyle, reminiscent of our ancient ancestors' way of life, offers valuable insights into heart health.

The Tsimane Diet and Lifestyle

The Tsimane people's diet primarily consists of 17% game, including wild pigs, tapirs, and capybaras (the world's largest rodent), and 7% freshwater fish such as piranhas and catfish. The rest of their diet comes from family farms that grow rice, maize, manioc (a root vegetable similar to sweet potatoes), and plantains (a banana-like fruit). They also forage fruits and nuts.

This diet contributes significantly to their overall well-being. For instance, 72% of their calories come from carbohydrates, compared to 52% in the United States. Furthermore, only 14% of their calories come from fat, which is lower than the American average of 34%. Additionally, they consume less saturated fat and more lean meat, which is 14% of their calories. Men typically take an average of 17,000 steps a day, with women averaging 16,000, making their daily activity levels far higher than the general population who struggle to reach 10,000 steps.

Lessons from the Tsimane People

The Tsimane people's lifestyle provides several valuable lessons that can be adapted by people worldwide to improve heart health. First, their high intake of plant-based foods and low levels of saturated fat contribute to their robust heart health. Second, their physically active lifestyle is crucial. The over-60s in the Tsimane population also maintain a daily step count of over 15,000, demonstrating that physical activity is a lifelong pursuit.

While the Tsimane people's lifestyle is unique and not replicable in today's modern societies, these insights into diet, exercise, and overall lifestyle offer practical and actionable steps for improving heart health.