Costa Rican centenarian José Flores may become world's oldest man

José Flores Flores, born on 11 July 1907 in the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica's Guanacaste province, is seeking official recognition as the oldest living man. If certified, he would surpass the current male record of 116 years and become the oldest man on the planet, while the oldest living person overall is Ethel Caterham of the United Kingdom, who will turn 117. Nicoya, one of the five globally identified "Blue Zones" noted for high concentrations of centenarians, combines poverty with strong community ties, physical labor, a plant‑based diet and a purpose‑driven lifestyle, factors researchers believe contribute to exceptional longevity.

Separately, a personal experiment with the so‑called "Power Nine" Blue Zone habits was conducted over a month. The author found some practices—daily movement, social connection, and moderate eating—sustainable, but highlighted recent criticism of the Blue Zone concept. UCL researcher Dr. Saul Newman received the 2024 Ig Nobel Prize for a preprint that questions the validity of the Blue Zone data, suggesting the phenomenon may be less robust than previously thought. The piece also references Dan Buettner, who popularized the Power Nine, and reflects on which habits genuinely support healthspan.

Together, these stories illustrate both the human interest of a potential longevity record and the ongoing scientific debate over the Blue Zones model.