How does coffee affect cholesterol levels?

Coffee is beneficial for overall health, but for people with high cholesterol, it is important to consider how it is prepared, how much you drink, and what ingredients are added.

Studies on coffee and health have consistently shown that moderate drinking (4 cups or less per day) is good for overall health. Drinking more than 4 cups per day has been linked to a higher risk of death from heart disease. Research has shown that older coffee drinkers tend to have higher cholesterol levels, but data for younger people are lacking.

The way you brew your coffee and the type of coffee you get can also affect your cholesterol. Brewed coffee contains virtually no cholesterol, but it does contain two natural oils with chemical compounds called cafestol and kahweol, which can raise cholesterol levels.

A study published in 2018 tracked the amount of coffee consumed per week in people aged 18 to 24. When compared to their cholesterol levels, researchers found that the more espresso participants drank, the higher their cholesterol levels. Espresso is machine-brewed coffee and as a result contains cafestol and kahweol oils, which raise cholesterol.

Based on the research results, experts recommend that people who want to reduce or prevent high cholesterol should use a filter for their coffee maker to reduce the amount of oil.

Filtered home-brewed coffee can reduce the amount of cafestol and kahweol oils that can raise cholesterol. Photo: Freepik — Filtered home-brewed coffee can reduce the amount of cafestol and kahweol oils that can raise cholesterol. Photo: *Freepik*

Other studies have also shown that caffeinated coffee is more likely to raise cholesterol than decaf coffee. If you're concerned about your cholesterol, consider switching to decaf or semi-decaf.

On the other hand, ingredients added to coffee can also pose a risk of raising cholesterol because they contain saturated fat. This fat can be found in:

Coffee with milk and cream : Instant coffee with milk or coffee brewed with added milk is high in saturated fat, which can raise LDL cholesterol levels. Better alternatives include coffee with nonfat or low-fat milk, or plant-based milk that is free of saturated fat.

Sweetened Coffee : Sweetened coffees have a lot in common with milky coffees. Besides being high in sugar, they can also contain ingredients high in saturated fat.

Diet Coffee : Also known as bulletproof coffee, this is a high-calorie coffee intended to replace breakfast. It also contains butter and coconut oil (also known as MCT oil). Both are high in saturated fat, and there have been reports of some people who regularly drink bulletproof coffee experiencing a significant increase in LDL cholesterol.

If you enjoy drinking coffee and have high cholesterol or a family history of the disease, enjoy it in moderation, pay attention to how it's prepared, and know what ingredients are in it.

Bao Bao (According to WebMD )

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