A Greek Island’s Ancient Secret to Avoiding Alzheimer’s: The Longevity of Ikaria, by www.bluezones.com

Chris Diakoumis
Nov 19, 2025
2 min read

Elderly Ikarian Man with Visitor in Mountain Path – Ikaria Blue Zone Lifestyle

By Dan Buettner, (@danbuettner) Founder of Blue Zones, National Geographic Fellow, and New York Times bestselling author

Most cases of Alzheimer’s and dementia are avoidable. On the Greek island of Ikaria, a recognized Blue Zone, there is a population of around 10,000 people living eight to ten years longer than Americans — with half the rate of heart disease, far less cancer, and most remarkably, almost no cases of dementia.

If you are living in America and you reach the age of 85, there’s a high chance you have Alzheimer’s disease. On Ikaria, your chance is less than 10%. People stay sharp and healthy until the end.

Nighttime Outdoor Dining in Ikaria – Traditional Greek Atmosphere

How Ikarians Are Avoiding Alzheimer’s Disease: A Lifestyle Rooted in Nature

Wild-greens & Mediterranean Diet

Ikarians follow one of the strictest versions of the Mediterranean diet in the world. They eat generous amounts of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and legumes, olive oil — but what truly sets them apart is their abundant consumption of foraged wild greens, herbs and garden greens such as mustard greens, chicory, fennel. These wild greens offer ten times the artery-scrubbing antioxidants of red wine.

Daily Herbal Teas & Natural Remedies

Surveys of dietary habits over the past eight decades show Ikarians drinking herbal teas daily — teas brewed from wild herbs around their homes like oregano, dandelion, sage, rosemary. These teas act as mild diuretics and anti-inflammatories, supporting cardiovascular and brain health

Ikaria Greece Blue Zones Diet Chart – Ikarian Centenarians Longevity Foods

Movement Embedded in Everyday Life

On Ikaria, life happens on slopes and hills. Trips to the store or visits with neighbours often require walking uphill. Thus, residents engage in regular low-intensity physical activity all day long — a factor linked to better brain function and lower dementia risk.

Strong Social Bonds & Community Life

Village life on Ikaria means you simply can’t avoid social contact. Festivals, church gatherings, daily visits — the social fabric is alive and vibrant. Strong community ties and low levels of loneliness are key protective factors for cognition; by contrast, depression and isolation strongly raise dementia risk

Ikaria Panigiri Festival – Traditional Night Celebration in Greece

What This Means for You and Your Stay at Ikarian Endless Blue

Ikaria is more than just a beautiful Greek island — it is a living example of authentic wellness, blue-zone longevity, and an inspired “slow-life” mindset. At Ikarian Endless Blue, we invite our guests to immerse themselves in this lifestyle: from nutritious Mediterranean meals rich in wild-greens, to quiet moments of connection with nature, to gentle movement and meaningful social time.

Choose Ikaria not just for a vacation, but for a restorative experience: where your mind stays sharp, your body feels vibrant, and your days unfold with purpose and peace.