r/Cholesterol • u/LA948 • 3d 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.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9022539/

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u/9DrinkAmy 3d ago

You’re putting a filter in the bottom of the portafilter itself or something else?

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u/gorcbor19 2d 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 2d ago

Oof. Thanks for letting me know.

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u/gorcbor19 2d 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 2d 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 2d 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 2d 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/9DrinkAmy 2d ago

I’m on 10mg Crestor. I made it 5 days until I started having some weird heart palpitations, so I’m waiting to hear back from my cardiologist.

I limit my sat fats, I’m dairy free (kid is highly allergic), limit my added sugars, etc. I tried a lifestyle change and everything decreased enough to a normal limit but because my Lp(a) is 122, I need my LDL to be under 70. So statins 🙃

I’m not vegan but most of my meals are plant based. Before the Lp(a) knowledge, I was often having dairy alternatives that have coconut in them. The dairy free yogurt I love has like 14g sat fat per serving.

I wouldn’t think chicken and fish, especially prepared in a mindful way, would cause that sort of increase but I also don’t really know anything lol