Before 1980, Ikaria was self-sufficient, importing hardly anything and even milling its own wheat to make flour. Islanders made use of around 80 different kinds of wild greens and herbs in their diet, Buettner told Reader's Digest. Some have ten times the antioxidant levels of red wine, which are proven to reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure. The local diet also features a lot of beans and little meat or refined sugar.

Ikaria is famous for its unheated and unpasteurised raw honey, which is said to contain anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

As devout Greek Orthodox christians, islanders are called upon to fast regular periods over the year, which cuts nearly a third of calories from the diet and is the only proven way to slow the aging process in mammals as reported by National Institutes of Health website.

Home in the Blue Zones: where to live if you want to grow old