The Melis siblings were named the world’s oldest siblings in terms of combined age – and they credited a simple and healthy soup for helping them live for so long
Traditional Italian cuisine minestrone soup prepared in a pot(Image: Getty Images)
Those in search of the secret to longevity might not need to chase after a mythical elixir of life – it turns out that the magic could be in a humble bowl of soup.
In 2012, the combined age of the Melis siblings shot them into the Guinness World Records as the oldest living siblings. The nine Melis siblings, who shared an impressive 818 years between them, credited their long lives to regularly eating Sardinia Minestrone.
The eldest sister, Consolata Melis, celebrated her 105th birthday shortly after breaking the record, while the baby of the family, Mafalda, was 78 at the time. Sardinia Minestrone is known to be a staple in the diets of many long-lived families in Sardinia, an Italian island where inhabitants are known for living long, healthy lives.
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The wholesome Sardinia Minestrone, packed with seasonal veggies fresh from the plot and including a bounty of beans and fregula – a Sardinian pasta made from semolina – may just be their fountain of youth.
Chatting with The Guardian about their record-breaking lifespans, 89-year-old Alfonso Melis revealed: “We eat genuine food, meaning lots of minestrone and little meat and we are always working. […] Every free moment I have I am down at my vineyard or at the allotment where I grow beans, aubergines, peppers, and potatoes.”
Echoing her brother’s sentiment, Claudia, aged 99, added her piece of simple advice: “You just keep working and you eat minestrone, beans, and potatoes.” The secret to a long life might just be found in the diet of Sardinians, who are known for reaching the grand age of 100 thanks to a diet rich in fresh greens, beans, fruit, and whole grains.
While relocating to Sardinia isn’t an option for everyone, it’s possible to bring a taste of their longevity-boosting lifestyle into our homes. A recipe on the Blue Zones website, which serves eight to ten people, is perfect for family meals with leftovers to spare.
The dish is described as “A bountiful dish that is eaten every day for lunch by some of the world’s longest-lived families in Sardinia, Italy. It can be made with seasonal vegetables from the garden, but always includes beans and fregula, a toasted pebble-size semolina pasta that is popular in Sardina.”
For those eager to try their hand at this wholesome meal, the full recipe can be found here.
Dining and Cooking