Jeju's Haenyeo women have spent generations diving without oxygen tanks; a 2025 study found their hearts slow dramatically underwater, likely shaped by years of training

The Haenyeo women of South Korea are renowned for their remarkable ability to dive deep without any oxygen tanks, gathering valuable resources from the sea. A groundbreaking study has shed light on their distinct physiological and genetic traits, revealing a much more robust dive reflex than found in other populations. Additionally, specific genetic markers in Jeju locals might account for enhanced cold tolerance and blood pressure regulation.

Raccontata daeconomictimes.indiatimes.com