title: Consumption of a boiled Greek type of coffee is associated with improved endothelial function: the Ikaria study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The association of coffee consumption with cardiovascular disease remains controversial. Endothelial function is associated with cardiovascular risk. We examined the association between chronic coffee consumption and endothelium function in elderly inhabitants of the island of Ikaria.
  
  
  METHODS
  The analysis was conducted on 142 elderly subjects (aged 66-91 years) of the Ikaria Study. Endothelial function was evaluated by ultrasound measurement of flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Coffee consumption was evaluated based on a food frequency questionnaire and was categorized as 'low' (< 200 ml/day), 'moderate' (200-450 ml/day), or 'high' (> 450 ml/day).
  
  
  RESULTS
  From the subjects included in the study, 87% consumed a boiled Greek type of coffee. Moreover, 40% had a 'low', 48% a 'moderate' and 13% a 'high' daily coffee consumption. There was a linear increase in FMD according to coffee consumption ('low': 4.33 ± 2.51% vs 'moderate': 5.39 ± 3.09% vs 'high': 6.47 ± 2.72%; p = 0.032). Moreover, subjects consuming mainly a boiled Greek type of coffee had a significantly higher FMD compared with those consuming other types of coffee beverages (p = 0.035).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic coffee consumption is associated with improved endothelial function in elderly subjects, providing a new connection between nutrition and vascular health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, 'Hippokration' Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece. gsiasos@med.uoa.gr
authors.forename: Gerasimos
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Siasos
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oikonomou
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chrysohoou
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tousoulis
authors.forename: Demosthenes
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Panagiotakos
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaromitidou
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zisimos
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kokkou
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marinos
authors.forename: Athanasios G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Papavassiliou
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pitsavos
authors.forename: Christodoulos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stefanadis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003069:Coffee; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D003069:Coffee; D002110:Caffeine