It's no secret that Italians like their coffee strong in the mornings to wake up—but it may also help them avoid cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer, and ultimately live longer, according to new research. (Related: 108 Most Popular Sodas Ranked By How Toxic They Are.)
A new study published Dec. 31, 2020 in The Journal of Nutrition looks at the relationship between 20,487 people and their daily intake of "Italian-style" coffee, aka espresso. None of the participants had cardiovascular disease or cancer at the beginning of the experiment and each drank around 30 mL or more of espresso—which is about the size of one shot—every day for over eight years.
Based on the participants' dietary info, scientists found that compared to those who didn't drink coffee, three to four espresso shots of "Italian style coffee was associated with lower risks of all-cause and, specifically, of CVD mortality," the study authors write. They believe this is thanks to a specific compound called NTproBNP.
There are a few ways to enjoy Italian-style coffee the way they do in the pasta capital of the world, and none of them involve drip or even Keurig machines. Sometimes, milk is involved in the form of cappuccinos, caffè lattes, or latte macchiatos. (Italians only drink espresso with milk in the morning before 11 a.m.) But a simple caffè, or one shot of espresso, can give you a nice caffeine jolt at any time of the day, according to restaurant and grocery store Eataly.
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