Blue zones are where the most people live. There are five of them in the world: Okinawa in Japan, Nicoya in Costa Rica, Sardinia in Italy, Ikaria in Greece and Loma Linda in the United States. One of these people’s favorite drinks is coffee, but most choose a specific type – espresso.
Drinking coffee, sometimes controversial, is considered unhealthy by many. However, numerous studies, including one from 2022 under the supervision of Professor Peter Kistler from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Research Institute in Melbourne, published in the journal of the European Society of Cardiology, proved that drinking coffee can have a positive effect on heart health, which contributes to longer life. The study involved 449,563 participants. The median age was 58 years. The study confirmed that people drinking coffee (ground, instant or decaffeinated) were less likely to suffer from, among others: arrhythmia.
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This type of coffee is the most concentrated and is most often consumed by centenarians from Sardinia, but it also plays an important role in other blue zones. from Italy they drink espresso in its pure form – they very rarely sweeten them with sugar or honey. They usually drink several glasses a day. According to the mentioned research, it is best to do so from two to a maximum of three cups per day.
And why is espresso so eagerly chosen by centenarians? Apart from the taste, it is also healthy. The method of brewing this coffee plays the biggest role. This drink contains the most polyphenols, i.e. compounds that support the health of the body, protecting it, among others. against free radicals.
Free radicals, or oxidants, are molecules whose excess in the body leads to disruption of the functioning of many organs. These elements damage cells in the body, which can cause many diseases, including: hearts. They also accelerate the skin aging process.
Coffee also contains antioxidants that are good for the circulatory system. Moreover, as we learn from the National Center for Nutrition Education, coffee is included in the Pyramid of Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for seniors. However, in case of problems or intolerance, it is worth consulting a doctor and asking about drinking coffee.
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Preparing espresso is a bit more difficult than regular coffee. For this purpose, a standard espresso machine, an automatic coffee maker or a coffee maker will work best. To prepare a small cup, we need about 7 grams of freshly ground coffee. The water temperature must be between 88 and 92 degrees C. The brewing time should be 25 seconds.
