Ikaria, a small Greek island known for its picturesque landscapes and year-round pleasant weather, is also recognised for its residents’ exceptional longevity, with notably low levels of dementia. On the Live Well Be Well podcast, hosted by Sarah Ann Macklin, longevity expert Dan Buettner provided insights into the remarkably low rates of dementia among Ikarians.
He remarked: “(People from) Ikaria, Greece live about eight years longer (on average than US citizens), largely without dementia, no discernible dementia.”
During their conversation, Sarah highlighted that dementia is currently the leading cause of death in the UK for certain age groups.
In response, Dan said: “Well, people ought to be paying attention to the way people live in Ikaria, because we found every person aged over 65, (and) there were only three very mild cases of dementia.”
Dan Buettner, who has explored various global regions known for their high life expectancies, discovered several healthful practices of Ikarians during his time on the island. In his book, The Blue Zones – Secrets for Living Longer, he suggests that one factor contributing to their low dementia rates could be their habit of drinking herbal tea, reports Surrey Live.
“Many Ikarians treat themselves to a cup of herbal tea every day, often using wild herbs harvested from the rocky island and sweetened with local honey,” he penned.
Critically, he noted: “Many common herbs act as mild diuretics and contain anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which may contribute to Ikaria’s low rates of cardiovascular disease and dementia.”
As for coffee, Dan highlighted its significance in the diet of Ikarians as well as in other longevity hotspots he has investigated over time. Noting their habit of consuming “copious amounts of coffee”, he linked the beverage to decreased incidence of dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
Supporting Dan’s observations, research including a 2021 study published by Chinese and American scientists in the PLOS Medicine journal, suggests that individuals who drink two to three cups of coffee in addition to two to three cups of tea daily could lower their risk of developing dementia or experiencing a stroke by about 30 percent, as opposed to non-drinkers of these beverages.
Further details on dementia can be found on the NHS website.