The Straits Times
www.straitstimes.comPublished on Nov 03, 2012
Longevity lessons from Ikarians
HEALTH DESTINATION FOR 25 CENTURIES
HOME to almost 10,000 Greeks, Ikaria is one of the middle islands of the northern Aegean. Its jagged ridge of scrub-covered mountains rises steeply out of the Aegean Sea.
The 256 sq km island is traversed by the Aetheras range, whose highest summit is 1,037m. Most of its villages are nestled in the plains near the coast, with only some of them on the mountains.
Before the Christian era, the island was home to thick oak forests and productive vineyards. Its reputation as a health destination dates back 25 centuries, when Greeks travelled there to soak in the hot springs near Therma.
"The most commendable thing on this island," wrote Joseph Georgirenes, who was bishop of Ikaria in the 17th century, "is their air and water, both so healthful that people are very long-lived, it being an ordinary thing to see persons in it of 100 years of age."
NEW YORK TIMES
DIET
Ikarians live on a plant-based diet with lots of olive oil and beans, much like their ancestors.
They drink red wine, which is high in antioxidants, and coffee, which is linked to lower rates of diabetes and heart disease.
They drink herbal teas. Wild mint fights gingivitis and gastrointestinal disorders. Rosemary is used as a remedy for gout and artemisia is thought to improve blood circulation.
Most of these herbs also contain mild diuretics. Doctors often use diuretics to treat hypertension.
They eat local sourdough bread, which might reduce a meal's glycaemic load, and potatoes, which contain heart-healthy potassium, vitamin B6 and fibre.
Another factor at work might be the unprocessed nature of the food they eat. Islanders eat greens from their gardens and fields, so they consume fewer pesticides and more nutrients.
SLEEP
Few people wear watches and islanders wake naturally in the morning. They take an afternoon nap and stay up late.
SEX
A study of Ikarian men between 65 and 100 years old found 80 per cent claimed to have regular sex. A quarter of that self-reported group said they had "good duration" and "achievement".
SOCIETY
People gather daily to eat, drink and socialise. Community ties are strong, making sure everybody has something to eat and everybody watches out for everybody else.
Copyright © 2012 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.
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