The Tribe That Has Not Had a Single Case of Cancer in 900 Years

The Hunza tribe practices a vegetarian diet, consumes organic food, thrives in a pristine natural environment, engages in regular physical activity, and breathes deeply to alleviate stress, all of which helps them avoid modern diseases.

According to Thepdi.com, the Hunza tribe, with a population of 30,000, resides near the peaks of the Himalayas in the northernmost part of India, where the borders of Kashmir, China, India, and Afghanistan converge.

The Hunza tribe (also known as Burusho) is settled along the Hunza River valley in northern Pakistan, bordering India, close to the intersection of three majestic mountain ranges: the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, and Karakoram. The small state of Hunza was established by a group of warriors from Alexander the Great during his conquests in India from 327 to 325 BC.

However, the origins of the Hunza people remain a mystery to science. They appear to have Caucasian-like skin, and their language, Burushaski, seems to blend elements of ancient Macedonian and Greek from the Persian Empire era.

Due to the area’s limited food supply and challenging transportation, the Hunza people are almost isolated from the outside world, and access is not easily granted. While very few tourists visit this region, those who do are often amazed by the health of the tribe’s inhabitants.

Notably, it is common for individuals in this tribe to live beyond 100 years, with many over 130 still maintaining good health and sharp minds. The tribe resides at an altitude of 3,000 meters above sea level, completely separated from the bustling world outside. They are also seen as people who have distanced themselves from civilization and industrialization, living in harmony with nature and regarded as the happiest people in the world.

Not only do they live long lives, but some members of the Hunza tribe have been known to live up to 145 years. (Photo: Thepdi.com).

Not only do they live long lives, some members of the Hunza tribe have been known to live up to 145 years, with age gaps between parents and children reaching up to 90 years, and they suffer from few ailments, maintaining robust health. This tribe possesses many secrets to longevity and vitality, particularly secrets related to nutrition. The dietary habits of the Hunzas are reminiscent of the methods outlined by Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, who lived over 2,000 years ago in ancient Greece. The philosophy of this diet is encapsulated in the saying “the food you eat is your best medicine.”

The simple and moderate diet of the Hunzas is largely determined by their harsh climatic and geographical conditions in the high valleys. The Hunzas typically eat two meals a day, with the first meal at noon. The locals wake up very early, engage in hard labor, and expend a lot of energy but have their breakfast quite late. Unlike modern lifestyles, the Hunzas eat primarily to sustain their health rather than for taste satisfaction, and their meals are prepared simply.

Dr. Robert Maccrison, who lived with the Hunza tribe for several years, noted that he had never encountered any members diagnosed with cancer, stomach ulcers, appendicitis, or any other diseases.

The people consume completely natural foods, free from any artificial chemicals. Everything is as fresh and clean as possible, close to nature, with straightforward production origins and no complicated preservation processes. No chemicals or artificial fertilizers are used in Hunza gardens. In fact, using pesticides or chemicals in this land could be considered against the laws of the Hunzas. Their diet primarily consists of grains such as barley, millet, and wheat…

The residents of the Hunza tribe. (Photo: Thepdi.com).

Fruits and vegetables are consumed regularly by the locals, with favorites including potatoes, beans, peas, carrots, radishes, squash, spinach, lettuce, apples, pears, peaches, apricots, cherries, and raspberries. Vegetables are eaten raw or simply cooked. Milk and cheese serve as significant sources of animal protein. Meat is reserved for special occasions such as weddings or festivals, where each person receives a small piece of well-cooked meat. Since meat constitutes only a tiny part of their daily diet, they can be considered a vegetarian tribe.

Yogurt is favored by the tribe for maintaining healthy digestion. Walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds often constitute a substantial portion of their meals. The traditional flatbread “chapatti” is consumed at nearly every meal. This bread is made from wheat, millet, buckwheat, and unrefined flour, retaining the valuable bran layer that is rich in nutrients. Unlike the white bread commonly consumed, which inadvertently removes many beneficial nutrients, this bread is not subjected to the whitening process. Notably, the germ of the grain has high nutritional properties, particularly vitamin E, which plays a crucial role in maintaining sexual function in both humans and animals.

Due to their unique geographical location, the Hunzas typically drink meltwater from glaciers, a mineral-rich water that benefits their bodies. Research by doctors in Pakistan indicates that adult Hunza men consume only 1,900 calories, 50g of protein, 36g of fat, and 354g of carbohydrates daily, with the protein and fat primarily sourced from plants. This intake is about half the protein, a third of the calories, and the same amount of carbohydrates as Western diets.

The beautiful girls of the Hunza region. (Photo: Gbcolour).

Another factor contributing to the rigorous health of the tribe is that they spend many hours hiking steep mountain paths each day. The secret to the Hunzas’ excellent health lies in their regular outdoor activity, which allows them to take advantage of the pure mountain air, inherently beneficial to health. The steep mountain paths they traverse daily can range from 15 to 20 kilometers. In addition to daily exercise, the Hunzas practice some basic yoga techniques, particularly slow, deep yoga breathing that utilizes the entire chest cavity. This method of relaxation is key to their health.

The Hunzas start their day very early, around 5 AM, allowing them to maximize their exposure to sunlight and retire at dusk. Their lifestyle is entirely harmonious with nature, as they do not use electricity or oil. Their habits demonstrate that deep and early sleep renews the body’s energy at midnight, from which we can learn. The people here seem entirely immune to modern diseases. For 900 years, no one in their tribe has suffered from cancer, and they are regarded as the healthiest and longest-living ethnic group in the world.

Some researchers call the Hunzas the happiest people on Earth. They know how to relax and rest when needed to minimize stress. They rigorously engage in daily physical exercise, love life, and embrace a minimalist lifestyle.

Thanks to their clean diet and healthy lifestyle, along with positive thinking and a constant smile, the Hunzas rarely suffer from heart or blood pressure diseases.

In addition to their primary livelihoods of animal husbandry and agriculture, in recent years, the Hunza people have been developing more tourism services, such as homestays, hotels, and cafes. The stunning natural scenery attracts many tourists to experience the region from April to October each year.