The stunning island of Ikaria, Greece, is celebrated not only for its breathtaking landscapes and delightful climate but also for being home to some of the world’s longest-living individuals. Remarkably, the residents of Ikaria exhibit significantly low dementia rates. In a fascinating discussion on the Live Well Be Well podcast with Sarah Ann Macklin, longevity authority Dan Buettner shared insights about the exceptionally low dementia prevalence in Ikaria.

Buettner indicated, “(People from) Ikaria, Greece live on average eight years longer than Americans, largely without dementia, showing no noticeable signs of it.”

In response to Sarah’s observation that dementia is the leading cause of death in certain UK demographics, Dan emphasized the importance of examining the lifestyles of Ikarians, noting, “In our research, every person over the age of 65 had only three very mild cases of dementia.”

Through his studies of areas renowned for their inhabitants’ longevity, Dan discovered various healthy habits practiced by the people of Ikaria that may explain their low dementia rates. Documented in his book ‘The Blue Zones – Secrets for Living Longer,’ Dan suggests that a key factor to their cognitive sharpness might be their regular consumption of herbal tea.

“Many Ikarians enjoy a daily cup of herbal tea, often prepared with wild herbs gathered from the island and sweetened with local honey,” he wrote. He highlighted that “Many common herbs serve as gentle diuretics and are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which could aid in Ikaria’s low incidences of cardiovascular diseases and dementia,” as reported by Surrey Live.

Another essential dietary element that Dan emphasized is coffee, which is a prominent part of the Ikarians’ diet as well as in other longevity hotspots he has examined over the years.

He mentioned that the islanders drink “large quantities of coffee,” a beloved beverage associated with lower rates of both dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Dan’s insights are backed by substantial research indicating that coffee consumption may significantly lower the risk of dementia.

According to a 2021 study published in PLOS Medicine by a collaborative team of Chinese and American researchers, individuals who consumed two to three cups of coffee along with two to three cups of tea each day had approximately a 30 percent reduced risk of dementia or stroke compared to non-consumers of these drinks. For more information on dementia, you can visit the NHS website here.