Jul-27-2024
Could the secret to longevity lie in a cup of your favourite drink? Research from one of the longevity zones suggests that coffee and tea could keep you healthy for years to come.
The study, published in Vascular Medicine, focused on the inhabitants of Ikaria, a Greek island where people live the longest in the world.
Gerasimos Siasos, a doctor and professor at the University of Medicine in Athens, and his colleagues wanted to investigate how older people drink coffee and its impact on their health.
The researchers were fascinated by how the islanders managed to discover the secret to longevity. While only 0.1 percent of Europeans live to be over 90, in Ikaria that figure is a whopping 1 percent.
The researchers focused on coffee because previous studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
The study focused on the effect of substances contained in coffee on the endothelium, a layer of cells lining blood vessels that is influenced by our lifestyle habits and the aging process. In 2009, research results were published showing that high consumption of coffee, decaffeinated coffee and tea is associated with a lower risk of diabetes.
Scientists conducted research on a group of 142 residents of Ikaria (women and men) over the age of 65, who had spent their entire lives on the island.
They analyzed the participants' health data (including diabetes and hypertension) as well as their lifestyle habits, coffee drinking and endothelial function.
They examined all types of coffee consumed by the participants. Surprisingly, over 87 percent of the study participants drank boiled Greek coffee every day. People who drank more Greek coffee had better endothelial function compared to those who drank other types of coffee.
Even in people with high blood pressure, coffee drinking was associated with better endothelial function, without negatively affecting blood pressure.
Professor Gerasimos Siasos summed up the study: "Boiled Greek coffee, rich in polyphenols and antioxidants and containing moderate amounts of caffeine, appears to provide benefits compared with other coffee drinks." This information provides new evidence of the link between cardiovascular health and nutrition.
First of all, polyphenols. These are powerful antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals in the body, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
In addition, chlorogenic acid, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of diabetes. In general, antioxidants in coffee can help protect cells from damage and reduce inflammation.
In addition, diterpenes, which are found in unfiltered coffee, such as Greek, and may have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
Greek-brewed coffee is distinguished by its moderate caffeine content. Therefore, it stimulates gently and can improve concentration, mood and physical performance.
To make Greek coffee, you need freshly ground Greek coffee (very finely ground), water and optionally sugar. Use a briki, a special copper or brass coffee pot, and a small cup similar to an espresso.
Pour about 60 ml of water into the briki for one cup of coffee. Add one full teaspoon of coffee for every 60 ml of water, and if you like your coffee sweet, add a pinch of sugar or honey. Stir gently to dissolve the coffee and sugar.
Then place the briki over low heat and heat slowly, without stirring. When the coffee begins to rise and form foam (known as "kaimaki"), remove the briki from the heat, being careful not to boil the coffee.
Gently pour the coffee into the cup, trying to keep the foam on top. Wait a moment for the grounds to settle to the bottom of the cup, and the coffee is ready to drink.
The Greeks do not live by coffee alone. They also drink a variety of teas, but one of the most characteristic and popular is mountain tea, known as "tsai tou vounou" (τσάι του βουνού).
This tea comes from herbs growing in the Greek mountains, mainly from the genus Sideritis, and is often called sideritis tea. It is collected from the mountainous areas of Greece, especially at altitudes above 1000 meters.
It has a delicate, herbal taste and aroma. Dried, grey-green stems and leaves with small, yellow flowers are poured with boiling water and brewed for a few minutes. It can be drunk alone or with the addition of honey and lemon.
Mountain tea is valued for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-boosting properties. It is also used as a digestive aid and to relieve colds. Other popular teas in Greece include mint tea, chamomile tea and various herbal blends, which are often consumed for their health and relaxation properties.