Certain Coffee Brewing Methods May Raise Blood Lipid Levels, Study Finds

While coffee is widely recognized for its health benefits, a recent study highlights a potential risk associated with specific brewing methods. Nutritionist Kurtis explained that two compounds found in coffee, cafestol and kahweol, can interfere with the body's ability to clear total and LDL cholesterol. These diterpenes may even promote the synthesis of LDL cholesterol, leading to an imbalance in blood lipids.

The study compared the diterpene content in coffee extracted through various methods, including pour-over, capsule machines, espresso, and automatic coffee makers. Unfiltered coffee, such as that produced by automatic machines and espresso makers, showed significantly higher concentrations of these compounds. Pour-over and capsule machine methods yielded the lowest levels.

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The key lies in the filter paper, which can absorb diterpenes, thereby reducing the risk of elevated cholesterol.

This finding underscores the importance of the brewing process. The key lies in the filter paper, which effectively absorbs diterpenes, thereby reducing the risk of elevated cholesterol. Reflecting this evidence, Nordic nutritional recommendations officially incorporated the advice to favor filtered over unfiltered coffee in their 2023 health guidelines. For coffee drinkers concerned about their lipid levels, opting for filtered coffee, like that from a pour-over method, could be a simple adjustment to reduce the intake of cafestol and kahweol.

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Suggesting to replace unfiltered coffee with filtered coffee was officially written into the health guidelines in 2023.