10 Things We Learned From Zac Efron’s Down To Earth

Netflix’s Down to Earth with Zac Efron has made quite an impression on its streamers. In an eight-part docu-series, Zac travels the world with his health guru buddy, Darin Olien. Together, the two learn about different cultures and how to live a healthy and sustainable life while being kind to Mother Nature. It’s both humbling and eye-opening.

Each episode takes place in a different country or city, shedding light on various problems and solutions around the globe. And because there’s a ton of valuable information being shared throughout the series, we’re taking a look at 10 things we learned.

10 The Longest Living Human Beings All Come From One Region

In the fourth episode, “Sardinia,” Zac and Darin make the trip to the Italian island to learn more about its culture since it’s home to some of the oldest living people on the planet. What are they doing to live that long?

According to different experts, they attribute Sardinians living so long thanks to their “blue zone” diet, which includes lots of fresh vegetables, homemade pasta, and a low-protein diet. Zac was taken aback by the low-protein diet part because North Americans have been told the opposite.

9 Bees Don’t Get Lost In Cities

In episode seven, Zac and Darin find themselves in the hustle and bustle of New York City before flying across the pond to London. With both New York and London being filled with city streets and tall buildings, Zac and Darin learned about pollution and how bees are affected.

To stay eco-conscious, there are various buildings in both cities that have green roofs with beehives. In fact, a beekeeper on the show said there were more bees in NYC than people! But don’t bees get lost in a big city when they leave the hive? Not exactly. As the beekeeper said, “They live here, they breed here, they live and die here.” After flying to Central Park or even in around the parks of London to pollinate, they always come back to their hive.

8 The Water You’re Drinking Is Probably Wrong

In what has to be the most unique introduction to an episode thus far, Efron and Olien meet up with their friend Anna Kendrick to get notes from water sommelier, Martin Riese. Riese gives out different kinds of water to show how different drinkable water is around the world.

But what water is the best water to drink? According to Riese, we should never drink purified water because water needs minerals to do its job. If it’s purified, it will actually draw out the natural minerals our bodies store inside us, leaving us mineral deficient. When water is done right, it can be more like a “medication,” says Riese, than for hydration.

7 France Is Making Big Moves In The Drinkable Water Department

In the same episode as above, Zac and Darin head to France from Los Angelas, where they learn more about their water. Unlike other countries around the world, the city of Paris is focusing on making clean water seen as essential for humanity and not so much as a money grab.

Paris installed amazing water fountains all over the city, offering free fresh water for all. They even sell reusable water bottles in vending machines, so people always can stay hydrated and healthy.

6 One School In Costa Rica Is Totally Different Than American Schools

In the third episode, the men head down to Costa Rica to learn more about its education system, natural foods found in the jungle, and its wildlife. And while it was all beautifully fascinating, the country’s schooling was what made the episode unique.

They headed to Casa Sula School to see how their school compares to others. “The way they learn here, everything that is around has a purpose why it’s there.” There’s no homework, no tests, no segregation by grades — and all students learn together. From learning different languages to math and woodworking, the kids shown are incredibly intelligent, mindful, and able to learn directly.

5 Camu Camu Is A Huge Deal For Our Health

With Darin being a “superfood hunter,” he goes on amazing excursions around the world looking for plants that can make us healthier human beings. One of Darin’s favorite fruits in the world is found in Peru’s Iquitos: camu camu.

In the eighth episode, viewers are reminded that every plant has a purpose and should be respected for its natural properties. Camu camu, for instance, has natural antioxidants and is loaded with vitamin-C. Eating it raw off the tree can give a person 1,000mg of vitamin-C, but when its bought in stores, it loses half of its helpful properties. Camu camu is a game-changer when it comes to flu season.

4 You Can Cook Under Ground In Iceland

In the first episode of Down to Earth, Zac and Darin take viewers to Iceland, where they hope to learn more about energy produced by natural means.

Zac and Darin meet with a man named Siggy, who talks about the active volcano across the lake and how the country utilizes the volcano’s effects. Due to the heat underground that the volcano creates, locals use the hot sand as natural ovens to make rye bread. Siggy shows the bubbling sand to Zac and Darin as they dig a hole and bury the bread so it can bake. To see food being baked and cooked due to the Earth’s natural heat was fascinating.

3 Plants Need More Respect

Along with learning about camu camu in the episode “Iquitos,” viewers learn more about the medicinal properties of plants that can help humans. The rainforest is full of millions of different plants that locals use to help with fatigue, inflammation, and aches and pains.

One plant that the group finds is called “cat’s claw.” Drinking the liquid inside the plant can help with arthritis, inflammation, and more. Aside from cat’s claw, viewers also saw how local people gather different plants and steam them as a way to clear past experiences and open up the mind.

2 Lima Cares About Potatoes

In the fifth episode, fans head to Lima, the capital of Peru. It’s there that Zac and Darin learn how different cultures are taking special steps to make sure the world never loses certain foods, like the potato.

The duo visit a lab in Lima that preserves the genetic information of potatoes (and other kinds of produce) in case there’s a natural disaster that wipes out the species. There are over 4,600 different kinds of potatoes and Lima has a food bank to preserve them all. They even have backups in Brazil. Seeing how effective Peru is at preserving food to make sure its people never go hungry was beautiful to see.

1 Puerto Rico Is Taking Steps To Protect Its People From Mother Nature

Puerto Rico has seen its fair share or horrendous tropical storms, but in Down to Earth, the country is still recovering from Hurricane Maria. In the episode, we learn that the country is protecting its waters and farmers so that the Puerto Rican people are never out of food when the next storm hits.

Zac meets with the mayor as she tells him how the country is trying to protect itself. She believes that storms have gotten worse over the years because of climate change and the only way to remain safe is to build better homes, increase the use of solar panels, and create sustainable kitchens. The Puerto Rican people left a mark on the two travelers, and they loved seeing their amazing contributions to their country.

About The Author

Lynn Gibbs
(1657 Articles Published)

Lynn is a nomad who travels the globe on the hunt for her next adventure with her husband. A lover of being outside (and finding the best latte in town), Lynn is typically hiking, walking, or jogging when she’s not focusing on her love of writing. When it comes to shows streaming on Netflix or anything Bravo-related, Lynn’s your gal.

More From Lynn Gibbs