Boiled Greek Coffee May Be The Secret To A Long Life

We've finally figured it out, the secret to a long, happy life: Roquefort cheese (obviously) and Greek coffee. On top of the mounting research that coffee can help you live longer (and relieve joint pain, and make you happy, and on and on), a new study shows that Greek coffee may lead to a longer life. 

A new study from the University of Athens Medical School in Greece analyzed the habits of the residents of the Greek island Ikaria, where citizens are outliving the rest of Europe. The study tested a sampling of 71 men and 71 women over the age of 65 to check their cardiovascular health. It was discovered that the participants had high endothelial function, a fancy way of saying that the cells lining the insides of blood vessels were working well — a sign of good cardiovascular health. And of those participants, 87 percent of them drank Greek boiled coffee. Compared to participants who drank other kinds of coffee, the ones who drank Greek boiled coffee had better endothelial function. 

Why is boiled Greek coffee better than your other cups of coffee? It all boils down to the antioxidants and polyphenols. "Boiled Greek type of coffee, which is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants and contains only a moderate amount of caffeine, seems to gather benefits compared to other coffee beverages," lead researcher Gerasimos Siasos, a medical doctor and professor at the University of Athens Medical school, said in a statement. Of course, Greek coffee isn't as easy to find (or make) in the U.S.; the Washington Times shares that it's a finely ground coffee, mixed with sugar, then boiled in a small pot called a briki, and served unfiltered. All the more reason to take a few trips to Greece now, right?