Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, and not only does it provide a pick-me-up, but it can also prevent several chronic diseases and reduce the risk of death. However, people with high blood cholesterol should be careful when drinking coffee. Some studies have found that the caffeine in coffee increases blood cholesterol levels and that aromatic espresso, French-style filter-brewed coffee, and Turkish coffee are all high-risk choices. In contrast, hand-brewed or drip coffee filtered through filter paper is safer.
Drinking Coffee to Prevent Diabetes
Coffee drinkers are less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than noncoffee drinkers. The polyphenols and minerals (such as magnesium) in coffee can improve the effectiveness of insulin and glucose metabolism in the body.2 to 3 Cups of Coffee a Day Is Best for Cardiovascular Health
A study published in November 2022 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, an affiliated publication of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), showed that moderate consumption of ground coffee, instant coffee, and decaffeinated coffee could significantly reduce the mortality rate and risk of cardiovascular disease and that those who drank two to three cups had the lowest risk of cardiovascular disease. Drinking caffeinated ground or instant coffee also reduced the risk of cardiac arrhythmias.Large-Scale Survey: Filtered Coffee Is the Healthiest
Although many studies confirm the health benefits of drinking coffee, some found that ingredients in coffee, such as diterpenes, can increase blood cholesterol levels and lead to high blood cholesterol. This is mainly related to the way coffee is brewed.By comparing different methods of brewing coffee, including espresso (e.g., capsule coffee brewed in a coffee machine), filtered coffee, brewed coffee (e.g., French press), and instant coffee, the researchers found that drinking boiled or plunger coffee was significantly associated with elevated serum total cholesterol in both men and women. Serum total cholesterol was also higher in people who drank three to five cups of espresso daily, particularly in men.
The study included a representative sample of the Norwegian population—508,747 healthy men and women between the ages of 20 and 79. Participants completed questionnaires about the amount and type of coffee consumed, and the researchers also collected data on variables that might influence coffee consumption and heart disease so that these factors could be considered in the analysis. Examples included smoking, education, exercise, height, weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
Over an average of 20 years of follow-up study, 46,341 participants died, with 12,621 dying of cardiovascular disease, including 6,202 from heart disease.
According to the study, unfiltered brewed coffee contains about 30 times the concentration of the diterpenes cafestol and kahweol compared to filtered coffee. Both substances have a lipid-raising effect, causing an increase in serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, adversely affecting heart health. Most of these substances are removed when they pass through the coffee filter.
The research concluded that drinking filtered coffee is healthier than drinking no coffee. Drinking filtered coffee was associated with a 15 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality during a follow-up visit than not drinking coffee. This may be because coffee is rich in antioxidants, such as polyphenols, which have anti-thrombotic properties. Coffee also prevents diabetes, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. For deaths due to cardiovascular disease, filtered coffee reduced the risk of death by 12 percent in men and 20 percent in women compared to no coffee. The lowest mortality rate was found in people who consumed one to four cups of filtered coffee daily.
