The founder of 'Blue Zones' Dan Buettner has shared ten ingredients that could help you "live longer, lose weight and feel better". 

The National Geographic fellow and author, 64, recently took to his Instagram platform to explain the benefits of the "purest form of the Meditteranean diet". 

In recent years, Buettner has become well known for his studies into the world's "Blue Zones" - areas of our planet where people typically lead longer lives. 

The explorer and educator researches every possible aspect of these regions from diets and exercise to the impact of religion and our relationships. 

One of these zones is the Greek island of Icaria (or Ikaria) in the Aegean Sea. 

Speaking to his followers in front of a table filled with popular Icarian ingredients, Buettner explained that the ten foods "represent a thousand years of culinary genius."

"This is the traditional Icarian diet, most of the ingredients have been around for 60, 70, 100 years."

"You can take every one of these ingredients in every one of these dishes and trace it back to the evidence showing why it helps you live longer, and lose weight and feel better."

The author also praises how inexpensive the ingredients are as well and that you can eat them your whole life. 

So, what are these ingredients? Let's take a look. 

Buettner starts with one of his most recommended foods - beans. 

In his social media post be explains that beans particularly chickpeas and black-eyed peas, are eaten like a snack or added to soups and stews.

Buettner admits that chickpeas may be high in fat but nearly all of it is unsaturated.

@uktoday_ Do you love Pasta? Dan Buettner has some good news for you #uknews #pastatiktok #pastapasta #uknewsheadlines ♬ original sound - UKToday 🇬🇧 Newsquest

The second food found in the Icarian diet that Buettner suggests adding to our own is Fennel.

From bulb to seeds, the explorer says that Fennel "is packed with nutrients, including calcium, iron, manganese, and potassium".

Icarians use it in their cooking as well as in herbal teas.

Buettner also suggests adding wild greens into our routines through the likes of purslane, dandelion, and arugula.

The expert explains that they are a "great source of minerals as well as carotenoids"

Carotenoids are the colourful pigments the body converts to vitamin A.

Lemons are also eaten whole - the skin and all - in Icaria.

The lemon peel may have a beneficial impact on blood glucose which helps to control or prevent diabetes.

Buettner also pointed his followers towards olive oil which he says Ikarians eat at least four tablespoons worth a day.

The explorer notes that olive oil may protect against heart disease before adding that it’s also why one study suggests Ikarians have a 50% lower mortality rate.

Other ingredients in the Icarian diet with longevity benefits include the herbs Oregano, Rosemary and Sage.

Buettner explained: "Oregano is one of the many herbs used in Icarian cooking. It’s rich in antioxidants and compounds proved to help fight bacteria".

Talking about Sage, the expert says having the herb in their diets "could be one of the reasons Ikarians have lower rates of Alzheimer’s and dementia".

Sage is also said to have properties that help strengthen bones.

Meanwhile, Rosemary is shown to improve digestion and enhance memory and is used quite often in herbal teas throughout Ikaria.

Additionally, Buettner says that potatoes are eaten daily in Icaria.

This isn't the case in other Mediterranean diets.

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However, the explorer points to studies that suggest potatoes can reduce blood pressure, fight diabetes, and prevent inflammation.

Lastly, Buettner concludes by recommending honey since the islanders use it "to treat everything from colds to wounds".

He added: "Besides stirring it into coffee, older Ikarians also take a spoonful in the morning and before dinner".