Ikaria - the island of long-livers: a resident told about the secrets of the islanders' nutrition
Kyiv • UNN
The secret of the unusually long life of the inhabitants of the Greek island of Ikaria lies in their daily diet rich in beans, legumes, garlic, whole grains, herbs, nuts, olives, olive oil, sea salt, honey, dried fruits, yogurt and cheeses made from goat's or sheep's milk.
Ikaria, a Greek island where people live unusually long lives. The secret of the islanders lies in particular in the daily menu on the island. American journalist and cook Diana Kochilas, whose family comes from the island of Ikaria, named the foods that are always eaten on the island, reports UNN with reference to CNBC.
In 2009, Greek doctors and researchers reportedly found that 13% of the Ikarians in their study were over 80 years old, compared to about 1.5% of the world's population and about 4% in North America and Europe. The islanders were 10 times more likely to live to age 100 than Americans.
Diane Kochilas listed local foods eaten by local longtime residents:
- Beans and legumes. These are some of the foundational ingredients of the Icarian way of eating. Adding them to your daily diet has been proven to increase longevity and can help you eliminate meat from your diet.
- Garlic. It is a great tasting and healthy natural ingredient.
- Grains. Whole grain products are an essential part of the Icaria diet. Pasta, especially whole wheat pasta and gluten-free, high-protein, bean-based pasta such as chickpea and lentil pasta.
- Herbs. There are many herbs growing on Icaria, and most of us can grow a few pots of fresh herbs at home, even if they are just sitting on the windowsill.
- Nuts. Nuts are an important ingredient in many traditional recipes of the local Greek cuisine. They grow in abundance throughout the country.
- Olives. They have been a staple of the Greek diet since prehistoric times, and are one of the many preserves that Kochilas always keeps on hand. In Greece, they are traditionally eaten alone or in salads. She likes to pair them with pantry staples like beans, pasta and other cereals.
- Olive Oil. Olive oil is the defining product of the Mediterranean diet and is absolutely essential in the pantry. Many of the health benefits associated with the Mediterranean diet, and by extension the Ikaria diet, are attributed to the health benefits of olive oil. Kochilas uses only virgin oil, which means it is unrefined.
- Sea salt. On Icaria, many people use sea salt, which is collected in small natural salt pools that have formed along the island's rocky coastline over the centuries.
- Honey. This is one of my personal favorites. The daily consumption of honey is one of the secrets of longevity for islanders. Honey has antibacterial properties, is rich in antioxidants including flavonoids, and unlike white sugar or artificial sweeteners, it helps the body regulate blood sugar levels.
- Dried Fruit. Figs and raisins are two dried fruits that Cochilas always have on hand to use in all sorts of savory dishes, especially salads and rice dishes.
- Yogurt. Yogurt is a fermented product that has been part of the culinary art of the Eastern Mediterranean for thousands of years. Traditional yogurt on the island of Ikaria is made from goat's milk and has a delicious sour taste and creamy texture.
- Feta and similar cheeses. Almost all of the cheese that Ikarians make and eat is made from goat or sheep milk, such as feta. Most of it is fermented naturally.
