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An old man with a moustache is having Greek coffee in a white cup in the local village café. This image is well known, but has changed over the years. Now, there are young people instead of the old man and the local village café has been replaced by a hip downtown cafeteria. Greek coffee has become fashionable.

A cup of Greek coffee is what you need in order to start your day with excitement and this is the favourite habit of many Greeks. It awakens us, gives us moments of pleasure and, according to recent scientific studies, it prolongs our life.

Some coffee for a long life!

Data which relate longevity to the consumption of Greek coffee come from a recent study carried out on the island of Ikaria, which is known as the island with the highest life expectancy in the world. The study was carried out by the team of Christodoulos Stefanidis, professor of cardiology at the Medical Faculty of Athens, who comes from Ikaria. The scientists explored the consumption of coffee and its effect on the health level of elderly islanders.

The study is based on a sample of 71 men and 71 women aged over 65. The scientists described their health and associated food and other habits, including the consumption of coffee. The majority of the people who took part in the study (87%) drink traditional Greek coffee every day. The team decided to focus on the use of coffee because of the findings of a recent study claiming that the consumption of coffee can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Those who drink Greek coffee have a better endothelial function than those who drink other types of coffee. The consumption of Greek coffee is associated with improved endothelial function even in volunteers with high blood pressure, without negative effects on their blood pressure.

Thus, the conclusion of the study was that Greek coffee, with its rich in polyphenols and antioxidants content and moderate amounts of caffeine, is much more useful for our body than any other types of coffee.

It should be noted that this is not the first time when a study is focused on Ikaria, since the island is included in the list of the highest percentage of centenarians in the world.

From the village café to Kolonaki Square...

Since this study has become famous, Greek coffee has become synonymous with well-being, longevity... and bohemian lifestyle. Therefore, do not be surprised if you see bearded hipsters enjoying a double cup of Greek coffee or hyperactive executives preferring it to espresso... Greece is back in fashion! Does anyone want some coffee?