Does coffee raise cholesterol? what studies show

To understand why coffee can affect cholesterol levels, it is important to look deeper than just caffeine. The main effect is associated with certain natural coffee substances and their action in the body.

It is often believed that caffeine is the main compound determining the effect of coffee on the body, but when it comes to cholesterol, entirely different components are considered most important – these are the diterpenes cafestol and kahweol. They are natural substances found in coffee beans that are released when preparing coffee, especially if it is not filtered. Simply put, they can be considered natural coffee oils that enter the beverage.

It is these compounds (cafestol and kahweol) that are associated with increased cholesterol, and not caffeine itself. For this reason, decaffeinated coffee can have a similar effect on cholesterol levels as regular coffee if its preparation method is the same.

Cafestol and kahweol affect the liver – an organ that regulates cholesterol production and elimination. Studies show that these compounds can alter bile acid metabolism and inhibit certain mechanisms responsible for cholesterol elimination from the body. As a result, cholesterol concentration in the liver can increase, which is then reflected in blood tests. If you want to understand better what indicators are considered normal cholesterol levels, read more about it in the article.

Clinical and mechanistic studies show that cafestol can increase blood cholesterol levels by acting on liver receptors and regulatory pathways related to lipid metabolism. Importantly, this effect is far from theoretical. It has been observed in experimental studies conducted with humans, consuming coffee with a higher content of these compounds (unfiltered).

Although coffee is often discussed in general terms, its preparation method is actually the most significant factor. Different types of coffee can vary greatly in the amount of cholesterol-affecting substances they contain.

Unfiltered coffee has the greatest impact on cholesterol levels because it retains the most cafestol and kahweol.

This includes coffee types such as:

• French press

• Turkish coffee

• boiled (brewed without a filter)

These beverages do not use a paper filter, so the natural coffee oils are not removed and go directly into your cup.

Interesting fact: Clinical studies show that cafestol and kahweol are responsible for increasing cholesterol. It has been found that consuming about 10 mg of cafestol per day for 4 weeks can increase cholesterol levels by approximately ~0.13 mmol/l. Since unfiltered coffee contains the highest amount of this compound, its effect on cholesterol levels is considered the greatest.

Espresso also contains cafestol and kahweol, but their amount is generally lower than in unfiltered coffee. This is because espresso is prepared in a shorter time and in smaller quantities, despite the fact that pressure is used in its production. This results in fewer diterpenes entering the cup.

Studies show that the amount of these substances in espresso coffee is intermediate (lower than in unfiltered coffee, but higher than in filtered coffee), so its effect on cholesterol levels is also considered moderate. However, the effect can accumulate: if several cups of espresso are consumed per day, the total amount of cafestol increases.

Coffee prepared with automatic coffee machines is often considered an intermediate option between filtered and unfiltered coffee. Although some machines have filters, they are not always as effective as paper filters. This can lead to more cafestol entering the beverage than when preparing classic filtered coffee.

Studies show that such coffee can have a greater impact on cholesterol levels than filtered coffee, but less than traditional unfiltered coffee. However, the exact effect depends on the specific machine and the type of filter used.

Not all types of coffee have a highly significant impact on cholesterol levels – in some cases, it can be almost eliminated.

Filtered coffee is considered the safest choice regarding cholesterol. This is because paper filters are used in its preparation. Studies show that paper filters retain most of the cafestol and kahweol, so the amount of these compounds in the beverage is very low, and the impact on cholesterol levels is minimal.

For this reason, people who need to control their LDL cholesterol are usually recommended to choose filtered coffee.

Instant coffee also contains very little cafestol and other diterpenes, so its effect on cholesterol levels is considered minimal. In this respect, it is often classified as one of the safest choices.

However, the composition of instant coffee differs from freshly prepared coffee. Studies show that processing can affect the amount of biologically active substances – in some cases, instant coffee has a higher acrylamide content than regular coffee.

It is important to emphasize that this does not mean instant coffee is unhealthy – consumed in moderation, it is considered a safe choice, but in the context of overall diet, it is often viewed as a convenient rather than an optimal option.

Although the effect of coffee on cholesterol levels depends on its type, the amount consumed is no less important. Even more favorable choices can have an impact if consumed too abundantly.

Most studies show that moderate coffee consumption is usually not associated with significantly negative changes in cholesterol levels, but it is important to consider the dose-response effect. Studies show that as the amount of coffee consumed increases, its effect on lipid indicators also increases. This means that one or two cups a day usually do not cause significant changes, but larger quantities can already have a noticeable effect, especially for more sensitive individuals.

Although coffee can affect cholesterol levels, this effect is not equally significant for everyone. It is most relevant for certain groups of people for whom even small differences can be important.

The greatest attention to coffee consumption should be paid by:

• people with elevated LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels

• those suffering from metabolic syndrome

• those with a genetic predisposition to high cholesterol

In such cases, the body may react more sensitively to the compounds in coffee, so even small amounts can have a greater impact.

Also, when cholesterol levels are already elevated, simply reducing coffee consumption is usually not enough – all lifestyle aspects become important. Read more about specific steps to help lower cholesterol in a detailed article.

If cholesterol levels are within the normal range and coffee is consumed in moderation (especially filtered coffee), in most cases it is certainly not necessary to limit it.

This is especially true if:

• the diet is balanced

• normal body weight is maintained

• there is sufficient physical activity

It is most important to understand that the effect of coffee on cholesterol is relatively small compared to factors such as diet or lifestyle.

When it comes to cholesterol, people often look for a single "culprit," but in reality, things are a bit more complicated. Although coffee can have some effect on cholesterol, overall lifestyle and daily habits are much more significant.

First, it is important to understand that cholesterol levels are most affected not by drinks or individual products, but by the entire diet. What we eat every day has a much greater impact on cholesterol levels. Read about what to eat to improve blood cholesterol levels in the article.

It is also very important to know what foods are not recommended, as some foods (especially those rich in saturated fats or trans fats) raise cholesterol much more than coffee. You can find out what to avoid when you have high cholesterol in our detailed article.

In the context of cholesterol, coffee is just one of many factors and, in many cases, certainly not the most important. Even a large reduction in its consumption may be completely insignificant if other lifestyle aspects are not favorable. Instead of completely giving up coffee, it is better to assess the overall situation: diet, physical activity, body weight, and other risk factors.

After learning that coffee can affect cholesterol levels, the natural question arises – should it be completely removed from your diet? In most cases, the answer is not so strict.

Most people do not need to give up coffee, especially if it is consumed in moderation and the appropriate preparation method is chosen.

Coffee can remain part of your diet if:

• filtered coffee is consumed

• up to 3 cups per day are consumed

• the overall lifestyle is healthy

In such cases, the effect of coffee on cholesterol levels is not significant and does not play a decisive role.

However, there are situations when coffee consumption should be reviewed or adjusted.

This is especially relevant if:

• unfiltered coffee is often consumed (e.g., French press or Turkish coffee)

• a large amount of coffee is consumed per day (3 or more cups)

• elevated LDL cholesterol levels have been diagnosed

In such cases, even a small additional change can be important, so it is worth choosing more favorable options, such as filtered coffee. It is also worth knowing that not all cholesterol-lowering methods are effective – the most important thing is to choose what really works.

The table provides a generalized overview of the cafestol content (one of the main cholesterol-affecting compounds) in different types of coffee.