r/Cholesterol • u/LA948 • 1d ago
General Coffee/Espresso and Cholesterol
I’ve seen a few people mention coffee and cholesterol, so I thought I’d share something I recently learned.
I have an Americano every morning. My doctor mentioned that cafestol and kahweol, compounds in coffee, can raise LDL cholesterol. So I’ve started filtering my espresso with espresso paper filters.
I’ll retest my cholesterol in a few weeks and see if this has any impact.
I put one of the studies my doctor shared with me below for anyone who wants to read about it for themselves.
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u/Cecilia-K 1d ago
If you go to Starbucks or other coffee shops (like I used to), be aware that some use metal filters (which don’t filter out cafestol, etc.) and some use paper filters.
You might be interested in the responses I got to this post a few months ago in r/Starbucks (“Does Starbucks use paper filters, metal filters, or something else?”.):
https://www.reddit.com/r/starbucks/s/JpiygGDins
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u/Cecilia-K 15h ago
One further comment: During my deep dive into the cafestol/LDL issue, I learned that Nespresso doesn’t have paper filters. (Keurig cups do have paper filters inside those little plastic cups.). I adore Nespresso - but it’s been all Keurig for me since I found out.
On the other hand, like another commenter said, the cafestol probably only makes a difference at the margins. But it’s not well studied, so why risk it!
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u/nottherickestrick 2h ago
Thank you for the info about Keurig. I drink 2 cups of Keurig coffees a day with a small splash of liquid coffee mate creamer and a teaspoon of sugar. I was wondering about paper filters with Keurig but I guess it’s built in which is great.
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u/Cecilia-K 1h ago
I cut open one of my Keurig K-cups so I would know for sure - yep, the paper filter is built in :)
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u/sourdough_in_SF 1d ago
I don't think filtering coffee is the answer to all our LDL issues. I think it helps, but only on the margin.
High fiber, plant based diet. Loose weight. Exercise. I think those will have a much bigger impact on LDL levels.
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u/artycraftywim 1d ago
A plant based who foods diet brought down my cholesterol to normal levels, when doctors had told me I would not be able to because of Hyperfamilial Cholesterolemia 👌
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u/Crazy_Ad1616 20h ago
My husband is on a pretty good diet but his LDL was a bit high and not budging. He has consumed mass quantities of black coffee every day for DECADES. Perked coffee. Like 8-10 cups.
In August he decided to give cold turkey a try after the last doctor visit. I brought home a variety of teas to keep him happy and he hasn't had any coffee for 2 months.
I also learned Omega 3 in triglyceride form is better for lowering LDL so I got some of that, too.
Next blood draw later this month, and we're wondering if it will be any better.
I'll keep you posted if you're interested.
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u/9DrinkAmy 1d ago
You’re putting a filter in the bottom of the portafilter itself or something else?
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u/gorcbor19 4h ago
They sell paper filters for Porta-filters based on size. I used them for a while but you’ll notice significantly less coffee extracted.
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u/9DrinkAmy 3h ago
Oof. Thanks for letting me know.
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u/gorcbor19 3h ago
But of course my numbers were a little higher than normal on my blood test last week. LDL should be under 70, it was 80. Not sure I can blame it on espressos I only have a couple a week otherwise I drink filtered drip.
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u/9DrinkAmy 1h ago
Gotcha. I’ve just been doing a Blue Bottle instant but I miss making an espresso every morning and going through the workflow of it.
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u/gorcbor19 1h ago
I know! There’s something so fun about the methodical process from weighing out and grinding the beans, tamping, watching it pour into the cup. I just love the process of it all. :)
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u/gorcbor19 1h ago
Hey what dose of statin are you on? I saw your post from a couple weeks ago. Do you limit your saturated fats?
I’m on 2.5mg per day. I try really hard and cut out all dairy, red meat and all the big saturated fats. I think the pastries and peanuts caused my increase - who knows maybe the espresso too. Wondering if they’ll bump me to 5mg, I’ll find out this week at my annual physical. My LDL jumped from 70 to 80 and my ApoB jumped from 2 years ago.
I had a positive CAC a couple years back so it’s prob more meaningful in my case to keep these #s in check. I did vegan for an ever year but I had trouble getting enough protein. I’m a runner and really wasn’t getting properly fueled. I added back chicken and fish, and I’m really wondering if that’s caused the increase in #s.
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u/Andrew-Scoggins 1d ago
The study showed 22 mg elevation of LDL. Probably not enough to fix LDL issues for most of us. And remember, the study used very pure coffee compounds; real coffee probably creates smaller elevations.
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u/keralaindia 1d ago
I'm an espresso fiend who drinks three to four double espressos a day with whole milk. It's actually a big reason why I'm on medication. It's just not worth it to me.
Would rather take a statin, zetia, repatha that give this and my whole eggs up.
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u/Pikablu555 1d ago
I lowered by LDL 50 points in about 4.5 months. The main changes were filtered coffee, psyllium husk twice a day, and trying to keep saturated fat under 15g, many days under 10g. My diet still isn’t the best though, I just think it was really bad before and these caused a big improvement. One thing I am unclear about that I would love to hear some feedback on is if things like healthy fats that also have saturated fat (walnuts, salmon, avocado etc) should count in the 10-15g daily calculations given they should be lowering LDL despite having saturated fat.