Does coffee raise your cholesterol? People who consume Coffee Raise Cholesterol as a pick-me-up may also have elevated cholesterol levels — especially if they drink an unfiltered variety, a new study suggests .
Researchers found among more than 21,000 Norwegian adults that those who drank several cups of coffee a day generally had slightly higher cholesterol levels than non-drinkers. The extent of the difference, however, depended on the method of preparation.
Those who drank the least filtered coffees, such as those made with a French press, had the greatest impact on cholesterol levels: On average, those who drank six or more cups per day had total cholesterol levels eight to 12 points higher than non-drinkers.
Espresso lovers followed in second and third place, followed by women who drank filter coffee (although no effect on cholesterol levels was found in men).
The findings are consistent with previous studies suggesting that unfiltered coffee may have a particular effect on cholesterol levels, according to researcher Dr. Maja-Lisa Løchen.
Unfiltered coffees include coffees that are boiled or prepared with a French press or plunger. Espresso also falls into this category, but is relatively more filtered than the other types, said Løchen, a professor at UiT The Arctic University of Norway.
The brewing method is important because coffee contains natural oils that can raise blood cholesterol levels. Researchers have long known that unfiltered coffee, in which coffee grounds are exposed to hot water for a long time, contains more of these oils.
In fact, Løchen says, it was the Tromsø study from Norway that first showed in the 1980s that “it’s the preparation that matters.”
At that time, Løchen says, boiled coffee was the unfiltered option of choice. So Løchen and her colleagues used more recent data from the Tromsø study to examine the relationship between these coffees and blood cholesterol levels.
“Norwegians love coffee,” Løchen said, “and Norway has the second highest coffee consumption in the world.”
The findings, published online May 10 in the journal Open Heart, are based on more than 21,000 adults aged 40 and older who reported on their coffee habits, exercise levels and alcohol consumption.
On average, study participants drank four to five cups of coffee per day. Those who drank boiled coffee or French press coffee — six or more cups per day — had the largest cholesterol increase compared to non-drinkers, according to the results.
This was followed by people who reported drinking three to five cups of espresso per day. Their total cholesterol levels were about 4 to 6 mg/dl higher than those who did not drink espresso. Finally, women who drank at least six cups of filter coffee daily had cholesterol levels that were 4 mg/dL higher, on average, than women who never drank filter coffee.
However, a registered dietitian who was not involved in the study had some reservations.
For one thing, there was no information about the participants’ overall diets, said Connie Diekman, a food and nutrition consultant and past president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
It’s also not clear whether participants regularly topped their coffee with sugar and cream, Diekman said.
So the question remains, she said, whether it was the coffee, the cream or the food that people were consuming with all those cups of coffee.
“Coffee by itself is probably only a small factor in raising cholesterol,” Diekman said. “Rather than worrying about how coffee affects cholesterol, it’s better to look at your overall diet and adopt other healthy habits.”
Løchen also pointed to the bigger picture, noting that moderate coffee consumption (up to five cups per day) is associated with a lower risk of heart disease and a longer life.
Angel Planells is a Seattle-based dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. He said filter or instant coffee may be the best choice for people watching their cholesterol levels. But again, overall diet and lifestyle are key.
If you really like a latte or mocha, Planells said, there may be other ways to cut “bad” fats out of your diet — such as avoiding processed meats or fried foods.
Some people, however, should pay special attention to the caffeine in coffee
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