Coffee breaks are a staple of office life, but for those monitoring their cholesterol, new research suggests it may be time to reconsider what’s brewing at work. According to a new study conducted by experts at Uppsala University in Sweden, coffee made from popular office machines may contain higher levels of cholesterol-raising substances than traditional drip-filter coffee.
Dr. David Iggman, who led the study, explained the motivation behind the research. Considering how much coffee is consumed in Swedish workplaces, we wanted to get a picture of the content of cholesterol-elevating substances in coffee from these types of machines.
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We studied fourteen coffee machines and could see that the levels of these substances are much higher in coffee from these machines than from regular drip-filter coffee makers.” For years, boiled pot coffee was known to contain higher amounts of the cholesterol-increasing diterpenes, cafestol and kahweol.
However, this new study is the first to closely examine the coffee produced by standard office brewing machines—a revelation that may stir up concern among regular coffee drinkers. Researchers collected samples from 14 different office coffee machines using ground coffee from five popular brands.
The analysis revealed significant variations in cafestol and kahweol content across different machines. Traditional brewing devices, including boiled coffee makers and some espresso machines, were found to produce coffee with the highest levels of these substances, according to Surrey Live.
Dr. Iggman further noted the implications of these findings: “Most of the coffee samples contained levels that could feasibly affect the levels of LDL cholesterol of people who drank the coffee, as well as their future risk of cardiovascular disease. For people who drink a lot of coffee every day, it’s clear that drip-filter coffee, or other well-filtered coffee, is preferable.
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To determine the precise effects on LDL cholesterol levels, we would need to conduct a controlled study of subjects who would drink the coffee.” The findings come as a wake-up call for office workers who may unknowingly be consuming coffee with cholesterol-elevating properties daily.
Nevertheless, there is some reassurance. The British Heart Foundation maintains that moderate consumption of tea or coffee—about four to five cups a day—is generally considered safe and unlikely to negatively impact heart health or cholesterol levels.
As coffee culture continues to thrive in workplaces around the world, this new research serves as a timely reminder: not all brews are created equal, and the method of preparation could make a significant difference to long-term health.
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