Icaria is the newest of the world's "blue zones," regions where residents have unusually long life spans. For years, demographers and researchers on aging have traveled the globe to study these areas in the hopes of learning their longevity secrets.
Dan Buettner is one such demographer. In partnership with the American Association of Retired People (AARP) and National Geographic, he is currently examining the island of Icaria, which boasts a higher percentage of people living into their 90s than anywhere else in the world.
In addition, they have 50 percent lower rates of heart disease, 20 percent less cancer, and almost no cases of dementia. Icarians not only live a long time, but they also live well.
So what's their secret? Buettner says that about 20 percent of Icarians' longevity can be attributed to their genes. The rest is a result of their healthy lifestyle. People in Icaria live in mountain villages that necessitate activity every day. "They have gardens," he says, for example. "If they go to church, if they go to their friends' house — it always occasions a small walk. But that ends up burning much more calories than going to a gym for 20 minutes a day."
Their diet is another major factor. It's very high in olive oil; and also in fruits and vegetables. The island's fertile earth grows over 150 varieties of produce--all of which are loaded with antioxidants.
Interestingly, considering they live on an island, Icarians don't consume much fish. Historically, pirates pushed the inhabitants farther up the mountain, where they grew accustomed to having less access to seafood.
Especially notable is their consumption of herbal teas, which they enjoy from morning until night. Their average intake is at least several cups a day.
"We had five of these herbal teas sent to Athens and analyzed for their chemical composition," Buettner reports. "We found out that most of them were diuretics."
Diuretics lower blood pressure, so it's only logical that Icarians would have lower rates of heart disease.
Hmmm. A few daily strolls through charming mountain villages, healthy mediterranean food, lots of fresh local produce--and all while sipping a gourmet selection of soothing herbal teas. Not to mention the sparkling sea is a short jaunt away. Does anyone know of a good real estate agent in Icaria? Do you think Examiner.com will give me a good relocation package?
Source: NPR
Copyright © 2009 Clarity Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.com
May 5, 2009
GREECE: Want to live to be 100? Move to Icaria (or live like an Icarian)
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DENVER, Colorado / Examiner.com / May 5, 2009
By Joanna Shukert
Few people have heard of this tiny Greek island in the North Aegean Sea, but it holds a unique distinction that few other places in the world can claim: nearly one-third of its inhabitants live into their 90s.
Icaria is the newest of the world's "blue zones," regions where residents have unusually long life spans. For years, demographers and researchers on aging have traveled the globe to study these areas in the hopes of learning their longevity secrets.
Dan Buettner is one such demographer. In partnership with the American Association of Retired People (AARP) and National Geographic, he is currently examining the island of Icaria, which boasts a higher percentage of people living into their 90s than anywhere else in the world.
In addition, they have 50 percent lower rates of heart disease, 20 percent less cancer, and almost no cases of dementia. Icarians not only live a long time, but they also live well.
So what's their secret? Buettner says that about 20 percent of Icarians' longevity can be attributed to their genes. The rest is a result of their healthy lifestyle. People in Icaria live in mountain villages that necessitate activity every day. "They have gardens," he says, for example. "If they go to church, if they go to their friends' house — it always occasions a small walk. But that ends up burning much more calories than going to a gym for 20 minutes a day."
Their diet is another major factor. It's very high in olive oil; and also in fruits and vegetables. The island's fertile earth grows over 150 varieties of produce--all of which are loaded with antioxidants.
Interestingly, considering they live on an island, Icarians don't consume much fish. Historically, pirates pushed the inhabitants farther up the mountain, where they grew accustomed to having less access to seafood.
Especially notable is their consumption of herbal teas, which they enjoy from morning until night. Their average intake is at least several cups a day.
"We had five of these herbal teas sent to Athens and analyzed for their chemical composition," Buettner reports. "We found out that most of them were diuretics."
Diuretics lower blood pressure, so it's only logical that Icarians would have lower rates of heart disease.
Hmmm. A few daily strolls through charming mountain villages, healthy mediterranean food, lots of fresh local produce--and all while sipping a gourmet selection of soothing herbal teas. Not to mention the sparkling sea is a short jaunt away. Does anyone know of a good real estate agent in Icaria? Do you think Examiner.com will give me a good relocation package?
Source: NPR
Copyright © 2009 Clarity Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.com
Icaria is the newest of the world's "blue zones," regions where residents have unusually long life spans. For years, demographers and researchers on aging have traveled the globe to study these areas in the hopes of learning their longevity secrets.
Dan Buettner is one such demographer. In partnership with the American Association of Retired People (AARP) and National Geographic, he is currently examining the island of Icaria, which boasts a higher percentage of people living into their 90s than anywhere else in the world.
In addition, they have 50 percent lower rates of heart disease, 20 percent less cancer, and almost no cases of dementia. Icarians not only live a long time, but they also live well.
So what's their secret? Buettner says that about 20 percent of Icarians' longevity can be attributed to their genes. The rest is a result of their healthy lifestyle. People in Icaria live in mountain villages that necessitate activity every day. "They have gardens," he says, for example. "If they go to church, if they go to their friends' house — it always occasions a small walk. But that ends up burning much more calories than going to a gym for 20 minutes a day."
Their diet is another major factor. It's very high in olive oil; and also in fruits and vegetables. The island's fertile earth grows over 150 varieties of produce--all of which are loaded with antioxidants.
Interestingly, considering they live on an island, Icarians don't consume much fish. Historically, pirates pushed the inhabitants farther up the mountain, where they grew accustomed to having less access to seafood.
Especially notable is their consumption of herbal teas, which they enjoy from morning until night. Their average intake is at least several cups a day.
"We had five of these herbal teas sent to Athens and analyzed for their chemical composition," Buettner reports. "We found out that most of them were diuretics."
Diuretics lower blood pressure, so it's only logical that Icarians would have lower rates of heart disease.
Hmmm. A few daily strolls through charming mountain villages, healthy mediterranean food, lots of fresh local produce--and all while sipping a gourmet selection of soothing herbal teas. Not to mention the sparkling sea is a short jaunt away. Does anyone know of a good real estate agent in Icaria? Do you think Examiner.com will give me a good relocation package?
Source: NPR
Copyright © 2009 Clarity Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.com
