Coffee Prolongs Life

Coffee made in a Greek way is a possible key to a long life. It has been established that a morning cup of coffee improves the work of the heart and vessels. But now it appears that it prolongs life.

Researchers focus on coffee because earlier studies revealed that a moderate intake of coffee reduces the risk of ishemic heart disease. Scientists wanted to find out if coffee can influence positively other aspects of endothelial health. Endothelium is a layer of cells that covers blood vessels and is linked with ageing.

The results of the research were published in the Journal of Vascular Medicine; they were based on the observations of the inhabitants of the Greek island Ikaria, where people have the longest lifespan in the world. It incites scientists’ curiosity, for only 0.1% of Europeans live longer than 90 years, but on Ikaria this percentage is up to 1%. Scientists discovered that 87% of long-livers drank coffee every day, and they were found to have the best functions of the endothelium.

Even people with high blood pressure showed a link between intake of coffee and improved endothelial functions without producing a negative effect on blood pressure.

The peculiarity of Greek coffee lies in it being rich in polyphenols and antioxidants; also, it contains a moderate quantity of caffeine.