Is Coffee Bad For Your Cholesterol?

As coffee is one of the most popular drinks, and it has been heavily researched because of its effects on our body. A lot of researchers have tried to come to a conclusion that there is a relationship between cholesterol and coffee.

Is Coffee Oil the One to Blame?

If we look at several studies done in the past decade, a link between coffee and cholesterol has been claimed by the researchers. In a study, it has been claimed that coffee oils can cause a rise in cholesterol. The two names of coffee oil components you’ll find specifically are cafestol and kahweol.

Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee naturally have coffee oil. So, when they’re in the raw form, the oil is present.

How Cafestol Increases Cholesterol?

If we focus on the research outcomes, there’s a clear indication that the cafestol is capable of affecting our body’s ability to metabolize and regulate cholesterol. As per a meta-analysis of controlled studies, there is a possibility of decreasing bile acids along with neutral sterols.

MEaning that this can cause an increase in cholesterol. The researchers specifically emphasized the cafestol being the most influential cholesterol-elevating compound in our diet.

How to Get Rid of Coffee Oil?

What kind of impact the coffee will have on your cholesterol level will depend on how the coffee was brewed. I’ve already told you about the component cafestol, which makes cholesterol rise. It can raise your cholesterol level up to 68% if you’re taking two or more cups of unfiltered coffee every single day.

The cafestol remains at a higher percentage in unfiltered coffees but if you don’t know which coffee actually is unfiltered, then Espresso and French press coffee are two of the most common cups you can drink.

The espresso is packed and water goes through a metal filter, but this is not enough to filter out the oils. Actually, they weren’t made for removing the oil. But if you’re using a paper filter, then the oil level could be reduced significantly.

So, whatever type of coffee you’re having, using a paper filter should be enough to minimize the oil level in it. This means, the less oil consumed, the less cafestol you get in your body.

Consuming Coffee Free of Coffee Oil

As the regular consumption of coffee with higher coffee oil may cause raise in cholesterol, there are two ways to deal with it. One, you can stop drinking coffee. Two, drink coffee that is oil-free.

So, if you don’t want to stop drinking coffee, then you need to start having filtered coffees instead of unfiltered. As they’ll be low on cafestol, it will lower the possibility of raising the cholesterol level.

Eating a Heart-healthy Diet

The food we consume is important as well. As long as trying not to raise your cholesterol it’s important to eat foods that are good for the heart.

Avoid processed food as much as you can and focus more on vegetables and fish instead of red meat. There are those that recommend not to consume food that is too spicy.

Regularly Exercise

The more body activity you do, the more your cholesterol level will stay in control. After a certain age, it becomes a hassle to control cholesterol but that can be avoided by using your treadmill regularly.

Try to exercise once every three days at the very least. It doesn’t matter how long you work out as long as you do it regularly. Most doctors suggest doing it at least 30 minutes a session.

Avoid Smoking

One of the biggest reasons for the rise in cholesterol is smoking. So, if you want to lower cholesterol, then you need to get rid of smoking as well. Otherwise, it won’t be much use if you just stop consuming coffee.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Being overweight has been identified as the center of attraction for tons of diseases. Being overweight makes it more difficult to lower cholesterol level. That’s why you need to maintain a healthy weight. It’s not only necessary for lowering cholesterol but for coronary heart diseases as well.

Final Words

Coffee is one of the most helpful drinks for recharging moods and enhancing physical performance. But as nothing is perfect and so isn’t coffee. Maybe coffee doesn’t have a completely friendly relationship with cholesterol, but still, it’s not the worst one either.

Used Sources:

• Is Coffee Bad For Your Brain?
• Is Coffee A Diuretic?

Reference:-

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol/coffee-link#cholesterol
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvX_Q7-PA_U
3. https://medlineplus.gov/howtolowercholesterol.html
4. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070614162223.htm

It’s important to notice that I’m no health specialist in any way so if you want to measure your cholesterol levels or have any health-related issues please make sure you consult a doctor and take care.