Bestselling author and healthy living expert Dan Buettner has disclosed the location of a remarkable place on earth where, he claims “people refuse to die” due to its high life expectancy.
Buettner, whose trademarked slogan is ‘Live Better, Longer’, is the brains behind Blue Zone, pinpointing regions worldwide with the healthiest, longest-living individuals. “Through our research of these extraordinary cultures of longevity, we have distilled their lessons for living long, vibrant lives into nine simple practices,” his website proclaims.
Now, Dan has taken to TikTok to delve deeper into one such blue zone – the small Greek island of Ikaria in the Aegean Sea, which despite being settled since around 7000BC, boasts a population of under 9,000.
“Ikaria is probably the most extraordinary blue zone, right off the coast of Türkiye,” Dan stated in a video. “Amazingly here, people suffer about one fifth of the rate of dementia that we do in the United States – they live longer and they stay sharp until the very end.”
Dan also recounted an article he wrote for the New York Times about Stamatis Moriatis, who after moving to the US and being diagnosed with cancer, returned to Ikaria and astonishingly lived for another 35 years.
“That’s just emblematic of the type of things you see here,” he continued, navigating the island’s tranquil streets on foot. So what is the secret to the islanders’ longevity?
“We’re not sure why people here are living longer, but we suspect the herbal teas have something to do with it,” Dan suggested. “They drink rosemary, oregano and sort of a mint tea every day – often in place of coffee.”
He added that residents also live “very independently”, unlike other Greek villages. “People live spread out with their own gardens,” he observed. “They have a fierce sense of independence, and that may explain some of their longevity.”
In response to the video, several TikTok users from the island corroborated Dan’s findings. “I’m from Ikaria,” one person commented. “It might have a lot to do with diet and our more walking based lifestyle. Even my great grandparents walk everywhere despite being 90+ years old.”
Similarly, another shared: “My great grandpa lived to 108, all his teeth, no glasses, no cane, lived independently on fourth floor, hiked every day. Loved milk and tomatoes.”
Those observing from afar also chimed in, with one writing: “It’s beautiful there and the food is much better then the USA. I ate yogurt with honey every morning when I was there. I never eat that at home. They eat very little meat and hardly any sugar. They also have a passion or a hobby. Do light exercise (walking , biking, gardening) every day.”
A second raved: “Ikaria is a tiny paradise on earth, healthy lifestyle, vibrant people and a relaxing vibe, fresh delish food and untouched scenery, what a place!”
And another recalled: “I read something about being close to the ocean and eating wholesome foods grown locally and surrounded by nature increases livelihood.”