{"id":63990,"date":"2023-10-21T10:57:57","date_gmt":"2023-10-21T07:57:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/exploringgreece.tv\/greece\/longevity-in-ikaria-the-secrets-of-life-nutrition-and-famous-festivals\/63990\/"},"modified":"2023-10-22T01:04:44","modified_gmt":"2023-10-21T22:04:44","slug":"longevity-in-ikaria-the-secrets-of-life-nutrition-and-famous-festivals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/exploringgreece.tv\/en\/greece\/north-aegean-islands\/longevity-in-ikaria-the-secrets-of-life-nutrition-and-famous-festivals\/63990\/","title":{"rendered":"Longevity in Ikaria: The secrets of life, the diet and the famous festivals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Longevity in Ikaria is one of the first things that comes to mind when we talk about the beautiful island of the northern Aegean. Not that unique landscapes and traditional dance are lagging behind, but life expectancy in Ikaria is undoubtedly the ultimate point of reference. The diet, the secrets of the longevity of the people of Ikaria island, have been targeted by many researchers in order to decipher the secret that makes them approach a century of life. It is a Greek island with a high life expectancy.\u00a0 But what is the explanation behind their longevity?<\/p>\n

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Ikaria island: The way of life and the secret of longevity<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Longevity in Ikaria: The island with the elixir of life<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Ikaria-Evdilos\"<\/picture>
Evdilos port, Ikaria island<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ikaria for centuries has been characterized as the island where those who live in its lands manage to surpass the average age of life not only of the entire country, and to enter the top relevant lists on the planet. As a result, studies have occasionally been published trying to explain this remarkable phenomenon. The most recent conducted is the one by <\/span>National Geographic,<\/span> with the European Union’s genetics program under the name <\/span>Geha <\/span>following closely behind.<\/span> The<\/span> research<\/span> had<\/span> as a result painted Ikaria <\/span>with the color “blue”, including it in the so-called blue zone which encompasses all areas of the island<\/span> land with inhabitants who not only live longer than the rest but manage to maintain their health at the highest level.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ikaria-Aghios-Kirikos\"<\/picture>
Agios Kirikos, Ikaria Island<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The zones that science has given the designation blue are in total at number 5 including cities in Italy, Japan, California, Costa Rica, and of course, Greece, which not only ensure the protection of the …<\/span>make the birthday wish for a <\/span>Life that counts almost a hundred years<\/span>, <\/span>but offering at the same time an eminently quality life with <\/span>serious health problems are disappearing. But what are the hidden cards that lead the natives of Ikaria to touch eternity?<\/span><\/p>\n

Ikaria: The Greek island with High life expectancy
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\"Ikaria-Food\"<\/picture><\/span><\/p>\n

Longevity in Ikaria: Ikarian Diet<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The <\/span>more than <\/span>ninety years of life, which exceeds almost two percent of those living in Ikaria, may seem like <\/span> The rest of us are almost elusive, but the above research clearly shows us how to live like Ikarians. The biggest ace up the sleeve is, of course, nutrition<\/strong>. Oriented towards dishes with legumes<\/strong> and vegetables<\/strong> cooked with local olive oil, Aegean ambrosia is light years away from everything processed and filled with preservatives. <\/span>The<\/span> nectar of the island<\/span>, in turn<\/span>, is none other than a few glasses <\/span>of red wine<\/strong> <\/span>or a cup<\/span> of cardiotonic Greek coffee<\/strong>, <\/span>which is not accompanied <\/span> by lighting a cigarette. Avoiding smoking or successfully quitting it is, after all,<\/span> another stone that helps build the Ikarian well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ikaria-Seychelles\"<\/picture>
Seychelles Beach, Ikaria island<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Longevity in Ikaria<\/strong>: Ikarian Physical Activity<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Apart from nutrition <\/span>equivalent <\/span>to<\/span> the achievement of well-being, physical activity<\/strong> also stands, <\/span>which is achieved by the locals either <\/span> by swimming in one of the wonderful beaches of the island, such as the emerald Seychelles, the sandy meadow or with the background of the verdant vegetation of the pebbled Fles. Alternatively, hike in one of its unique gorges such as that of Myrsonas or Chalari, or walk with the stunning view of its unforgettable ridges. <\/span><\/p>\n

Longevity in Ikaria<\/strong>: Ikarian Mental Health<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Lifestyle in turn declares its dynamic presence in the results of the study. The residents of Ikaria are constantly focusing on the family<\/strong>. In this way, depression rates reach the lowest levels<\/strong>, as well as stress that almost disappears from the Aegean vocabulary, along with the feeling of loneliness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ikaria: Festivals synonymous with longevity<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Ikaria-Feast\"<\/picture>As another imponderable factor that contributes greatly to the longevity of those living in Ikaria island, it was identified that social activities<\/strong> are, and what better expression of them than the famous festivals of the island?<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ikaria<\/picture>Feasts filled with music and dance<\/strong>, bring people even closer as units, but even entire families or villages that revive customs and traditions, having fun non-stop regardless of age until morning. So they feel part of the collective identity of the place which helps them live and live for a really long time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ikaria has managed to unlock the secret for a life of many years but at the same time of great value. Follow in the footsteps of its inhabitants and feel your days acquire not only duration but also substance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Watch the Netflix documentary “Longevity: The Secrets of the Blue Zones”, although we feel that the other blue zones were better researched than the one presented for the Greek island. Either way, it’s worth seeing.<\/p>\n