Ikaria shares one of its secrets for long life
PHOTOGRAPH: Loverna Journey
“Ikaria, a so-called Blue Zone, is a longevity hotspot known for its extraordinary number of centenarians living with little impairment or cognitive decline.
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On this beautiful Greek Island, locals drink teas steeped with herbs often overlooked in other countries and areas of the world.
When it comes to cognitive longevity, a daily cup of tea is one of the tastiest, cheapest, and healthiest habits. Whichever type of tea you prefer, hot or iced, each sip is doing your body a favor.
Different types of herbal teas offer different health benefits. For example Chamomile is linked to keeping blood sugar levels steady and helping reduce the symptoms of PMS. Yerba mate tea gives a natural energy boost.
Elena Paravantes-Hargitt, RD, is a registered dietitian living in Greece, whose book ‘The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners’ says the most popular teas on the Island are linked to improving heart and brain health, along with reducing inflammation.
She says Ikarians drink herbal teas two to three times a day, not just when someone is ill. Chances are you already have the herbs they use to make these teas in your home.
The best herbal Greek teas for brain health;
Mountain tea
Paravantes-Hargitt says mountain Greek tea is one of the most common types of teas drunk not only in Ikaria, but throughout Greece. It is the only one on this list that could require a little effort finding, but with the health benefits and taste, every effort is worth it.
“Mountain tea is an herbal tea with several varieties growing mainly in the Mediterranean,” she says, especifically naming the dried leaves and flowers of Sideritis plants (known also as ironwort),”
“The plant has been studied extensively and is found to positively affect cognitive ability and mood,” she says, adding that it contains phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Because it’s brewed with flowers and leaves, the tea has a floral and earthy taste, mild and slightly sweet. Look for mountain tea at Mediterranean or Greek grocers.
Sage Tea
“Sage is a very common herbal beverage not only in Ikaria but all over Greece,” says Paravantes-Hargitt. Sage tea is used to help with congestion, sore throats, and more.
“Research has shown that it contains many bioactive ingredients such as camphor, alpha and beta caryophyllene, rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, diterpenes, and flavonoids, all of which have antioxidant activity,” she says. These active ingredients have been shown to protect against neurological diseases, including dementia.
Oregano tea
Oregano, commonly used in Ikarian cooking, is also enjoyed as a savory tea, says Paravantes-Hargitt. It can help quell an upset stomach, and it is also another great choice for brain health.
“Researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture compared the antioxidant activity of 39 commonly used herbs and observed that oregano had three to 20 times higher antioxidant activity than the other herbs studied,” says Paravantes-Hargitt.
Rosemary tea
Another herbal tea commonly consumed in Ikaria is steeped with rosemary, says Paravantes-Hargitt. One study found that consuming rosemary regularly can help protect against dementia because of its high amounts of antioxidants and flavonoids.
Fennel tea
Like oregano tea, fennel tea can help with an upset stomach.
“Fennel leaves are used in Greek cooking too, in fritters, salads, bean stews, and seafood,” Paravantes-Hargitt says.
Fennel tea has been scientifically linked to protecting against dementia when consumed on a regular basis, because it has antioxidants as well as fatty acids, which aid protecting the brain.
Of course, food and lifestyle habits also play important roles in brain health, but integrating one of the above teas as a part of one’s wellness routine will give long-term benefits in protecting against dementia. It is a new way to think about using herbs that one most probably already uses in cooking.
Valerie Paavonpera
Explore Ikaria
Dive deep into nature by following a hiking trail that leads you to the Chalaris canyon. Explore the natural herbs that line your path until you reach a breathtaking viewpoint on the canyon’s hillside and enjoy a relaxing picnic by the river with local Ikarian delicacies.
