Coffee boost for arteries

Tuesday August 24th, 2010

Elderly people who drink moderate amounts of rich dark coffee can improve the health of their arteries, researchers have reported.

The findings come from a study of residents of a remote Greek island who drink Greek coffee.

Researchers say only one or two cups of coffee a day make a difference to health. Drinking more coffee did not increase the benefits to health.

The findings are due to be reported to the European Society of Cardiology at its conference in Stockholm, Sweden, next week.

Researchers studied more than 600 men and women aged between 65 and 100 from the Greek island of Ikaria.

Researchers studied the elasticity of the arteries - and concluded that moderate coffee drinking helped improve it.

It is thought this would mean a reduced chance of developing high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

The researchers say Greek coffee includes a wealth of vitamins and minerals that improve heart health. It can also improve nitric oxide levels, another factor that boosts heart health.

Researcher Dr Christina Chrysohoou, of Athens University, Greece, said: "The study revealed that moderate coffee consumption (between one and two cups per day) is associated with higher values of aortic distensibility when compared with other hypertensive elderly individuals taking less quantities of coffee."

Tags: Europe | Geriatric Health | Heart Health

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