Secret on the island of the longevity in Greece

The people here have an average age of over 90, especially not sick and leave in the most natural way when they reach the centenary.

On the island of Ikaria , Greece, long life becomes too ordinary. It is not difficult for you to meet old men and women. According to statistics, one out of every 3 Ikaria people live to be over 90 years old.

Not only long-lived, the people of Ikaria are even healthier than other European residents. They have a much lower incidence of cancer and heart disease, depression, memory loss, health at an old age, maintaining a healthy sex life. Over the years, the tourists come here to try to understand the secret of longevity, healthy life of the people here through a variety of factors such as diet, sleep.

Ikaria Island is about 50km from the Turkish coast.(Photo: oddity).

Ikaria is named after the mythical figure Icarus, who plunged into the sea for flying too close to the sun, in the eastern Mediterranean, nearly 50km from the Turkish coast. The life of the population on the island is a proven fact through scientific research and demographic surveys conducted over the years. Most notably, Ikaria was led by the University of Athens.

During this study, Dr. Christina Chrysohoou, a cardiologist at the University of Athens School of Medicine, discovered that the diet of Ikaria is rich in locally grown beans and vegetables. These foods contain 10 times more antioxidants than red wine. People also eat more potatoes and goat milk, eat less meat, limit refined sugar.

According to Chryssohoou, Ikaria's diet is not like other Greek islanders. Maybe this makes their life expectancy higher. They drank a lot of herbal tea and a small amount of coffee, the calories consumed daily were not high. In addition, studies show that napping is also a factor in reducing the risk of heart disease.

The Ikaria are not only long-lived, but often die in a natural state without disease. The Guardian once published a story about Kostas Sponsas, an Ikaria native who once lost a leg in Albania during the war, celebrated his 100th birthday in 2013. far from negative thoughts, loneliness, sadness and stress. In addition, Kotas does not eat fried food, always gets enough sleep (opens windows when sleeping), avoids eating too much meat, drinks herbal tea and uses red wine at every meal.

Older people who are old but still healthy, have few illnesses.(Photo: youtube).

Eleni Mazari, a local real estate agent talking about family is an important part of Ikaria culture , helps them live long and healthy. "We let our old relatives live with us. There is also a place dedicated to them but only those who have lost their families. It is shameful to have elderly parents here to take care of the nursing home. That may also be the reason the elderly live long , " Eleni said.

Ikaria is still an isolated island, not many tourists have come here.