Which Coffee Is Best for Cholesterol? The Brewing Methods That Matter
Your daily coffee may be part of a healthy routine, but the way you brew it could influence its effect on cholesterol. While coffee itself is not necessarily something to avoid, some brewing methods allow naturally occurring compounds to remain in the drink that can raise LDL cholesterol.
For people who drink several cups a day, understanding the difference between filtered, unfiltered and machine-brewed coffee could be useful, particularly if cholesterol levels are already a concern.
Does coffee affect cholesterol?
Coffee contains several naturally occurring compounds, including two substances called cafestol and kahweol. These compounds belong to a group of natural fats known as diterpenes.
Research has associated higher consumption of cafestol and kahweol with increases in LDL cholesterol, often described as "bad" cholesterol. LDL can contribute to the buildup of fatty deposits in arteries, which is one reason doctors pay attention to elevated levels when assessing cardiovascular health.
However, this does not mean that drinking coffee automatically leads to high cholesterol. The amount of these compounds in a cup can vary considerably depending on how the coffee is prepared.
This is an important distinction because different brewing techniques remove different amounts of diterpenes.
Which coffee is worst for cholesterol?
Generally, unfiltered and boiled coffee can contain higher amounts of cafestol and kahweol.
Coffee made using methods that allow the grounds to remain in contact with the water, or that do not use an effective paper filter, can allow more of these compounds to reach the final drink.
Examples include:
- Boiled coffee
- French press coffee
- Some percolated coffee
- Certain espresso preparations
- Some coffees produced by brewing machines
This does not mean that these drinks should automatically be eliminated from your diet. The potential effect depends on factors such as how much coffee you consume and how regularly you drink it.
For someone who has one occasional cup, the dietary impact is likely to be very different from someone consuming several cups of unfiltered coffee every working day.
Why paper-filtered coffee may be a better choice
One of the simplest ways to reduce cafestol in coffee is to use a paper filter.
Paper filters can trap much of the oily material in coffee grounds, including diterpenes. As a result, paper-filtered coffee generally contains substantially lower levels of cafestol than unfiltered varieties.
This makes traditional drip coffee prepared with a paper filter an appealing option for people who enjoy coffee but want to limit its potential effect on cholesterol.
Instant coffee is another option that generally contains very low levels of these cholesterol-raising compounds.
It is worth remembering that coffee is more than just cafestol and caffeine. It contains numerous other compounds, and research into coffee consumption has found associations between moderate coffee intake and several potential health benefits.
The overall picture is therefore more complicated than simply labelling coffee as healthy or unhealthy.
What about workplace coffee machines?
A particularly interesting question is what happens when you use a coffee machine at work.
Researchers in Sweden investigated this issue by testing coffee produced by machines in different workplaces. According to the study, published in Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, the researchers analysed samples from 14 coffee machines and compared them with several other common brewing methods.
The researchers found considerable variation between machines.
Some machines produced coffee with relatively low levels of diterpenes, while others produced higher concentrations. The researchers suggested that the type of machine and brewing process could help explain these differences.
One distinction was particularly notable.
Liquid-model coffee machines generally produced coffee with very low levels of diterpenes. These machines use a liquid coffee concentrate that is mixed with hot water rather than brewing coffee directly from ground beans in the same way as conventional machines.
Other brewing machines use coffee grounds and may rely on metal filtration. Depending on the design, this can allow more cafestol and kahweol to pass into the finished beverage.
For people who regularly drink several cups from an office coffee machine, the brewing method could therefore be worth considering.
Is espresso bad for cholesterol?
Espresso is sometimes included among coffees that can contain diterpenes because it is not normally prepared using a paper filter.
However, portion size matters. A small espresso contains much less liquid than a large mug of coffee, so comparing different coffee styles solely by brewing method can be misleading.
The number of cups consumed, serving size and the overall diet are all relevant when considering potential effects on cholesterol.
If you are concerned about your cholesterol, replacing some unfiltered coffee with paper-filtered coffee may be a relatively simple dietary adjustment.
What is the best coffee for cholesterol?
If your main priority is keeping cafestol and kahweol intake low, paper-filtered coffee and instant coffee are among the better choices.
A practical ranking would look something like this:
Lower in cholesterol-raising diterpenes:
- Paper-filtered drip coffee
- Instant coffee
- Some liquid-model machine coffees
Potentially higher in diterpenes:
- French press coffee
- Boiled coffee
- Some percolated coffee
- Some metal-filtered machine coffee
- Espresso
The exact amount can vary considerably, so this should not be treated as a universal ranking for every brand or machine.
Should you stop drinking coffee?
For most people, there is no reason to panic about coffee simply because it contains cafestol and kahweol.
Coffee has been studied extensively, and moderate consumption has been associated with a range of potential health effects. The relationship between coffee and health depends on many factors, including the quantity consumed, what is added to the drink and a person's individual health circumstances.
If you have high cholesterol, however, the type of coffee you drink can be one small part of your overall dietary strategy.
Choosing paper-filtered coffee is an easy way to reduce exposure to cholesterol-raising diterpenes without giving up your morning routine.
It is also important to look beyond the coffee itself. Adding large amounts of sugar, cream or high-fat ingredients can substantially change the nutritional profile of a drink.
The bottom line
Coffee does not have to disappear from your daily routine if you are watching your cholesterol. Instead, pay attention to how your coffee is brewed.
Unfiltered and boiled coffees can contain higher levels of cafestol and kahweol, compounds that may increase LDL cholesterol. Paper-filtered coffee removes much of these substances and is therefore a useful option for people looking to minimise their dietary intake.
Workplace coffee machines can be more complicated because their diterpene levels vary depending on the brewing system. If you drink several machine-made coffees every day, switching to a paper-filtered option could be a simple precaution.
Ultimately, coffee is only one part of a much bigger picture when it comes to cardiovascular health. If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol or have concerns about your heart health, speak with a qualified healthcare professional about your individual diet and treatment needs.
Sources
- Eriksson et al., Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, study investigating diterpenes in coffee produced by workplace machines.
- BBC Science Focus, published 3 April 2025.
- National Coffee Association, information on coffee consumption in the United States.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat or prevent any medical condition. Individual responses to coffee and dietary changes can vary. If you have high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease or take medication that affects your cholesterol or heart health, consult a qualified healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes.