Your Coffee Maker Might Be Raising Your Cholesterol—Here's Why

The way coffee is made could have a bigger impact on heart health than previously thought. A new study reveals that common workplace coffee machines, particularly those using metal filters, produce drinks with far higher levels of cholesterol-raising compounds. These findings suggest simple changes in brewing methods might lower long-term health risks.

The research, published in Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases, highlights how filtered coffee could be a safer choice for daily drinkers. Scientists found that coffee brewed in machines with metal filters contains significantly more cafestol and kahweol—two compounds known to raise LDL cholesterol. Tests showed that machine-brewed coffee had up to 444 mg/L of cafestol, compared to just 12 mg/L in paper-filtered coffee. Paper filters act like barriers, trapping most of these harmful substances.

Switching from metal-filtered coffee to paper-filtered drip coffee could reduce LDL cholesterol by 0.58 mmol/L over time. This change might lead to a 13% lower risk of heart disease within five years and a 36% reduction over 40 years. Health guidelines, including the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, already favour filtered coffee over unfiltered options.

Another study in the European Heart Journal added that drinking coffee before noon may offer protective benefits against heart disease and early death. However, the type of brewing method still plays a crucial role in determining these health effects. Espresso, which often bypasses paper filtration, was also flagged as a potential source of higher diterpene levels. The findings suggest that small adjustments, like choosing paper-filtered coffee, could make a noticeable difference in long-term heart health. Reducing exposure to cafestol and kahweol through better brewing methods may help lower cholesterol and cut disease risks. Health experts now recommend being mindful of how coffee is prepared, not just how much is consumed.