Greek secret to long life

Long have humans sought ways to extend their lives.

Supernatural pacts.

Special beauty and health preparations. Healthy lifestyles and diets.

Even   in the case of Dorian Gray   letting portraits age instead of the individual.

However, there has been a news story recently, which indicates that the Greeks may be able to help those of us out who are on the hunt for a longer life.

What is the deal?

A study has been published in Vascular Medicine and it seems that Greek coffee may be an aid to long life.

The study focused on the residents of a Greek Island called Ikaria and considered the inhabitants.

Why did they focus on this particular island?

Because apparently, it is the place of the world’s oldest inhabitants and levels of longevity.

In addition, these long lives tend to be healthy.

One percent of the islanders live to be over 90 years old. Elsewhere in Europe that figure is 0.1%.

Why do scientists think that Greek coffee might be the answer?

Over 87% of those who took part in the study drink a certain kind of boiled Greek coffee.

Those who drank this kind of coffee were found to have a superior endothelial function which means that the layer of cells lining their blood vessels (and which is affected by age amongst other things) remained in better function than in those who didn’t drink the Greek coffee.

In addition, the participants were asked questions about other conditions, such as health and lifestyle.

So what is in this kind of coffee?

There are plenty of polyphenols and antioxidants but only a modest caffeine content.

Here’s hoping that Greek coffee will soon appear on the menus of well-stocked coffee shops alongside cappuccinos and lattes.

Photo: Stelios Kiousis