Whether you drink one cup of coffee every now and then or five cups a day, there is a potential risk to consuming this drink, according to some research. Studies at the Baylor College of Medicine and elsewhere have identified a link between coffee consumption and LDL cholesterol levels in the body.
LDL Cholesterol
LDL is one of two types of cholesterol found in the body. The other, HDL cholesterol, is considered a healthy cholesterol that helps protect the vascular system and your heart. Though you should strive for low LDL cholesterol levels in the body, HDL cholesterol should be maintained in high levels. When people talk about lowering their cholesterol, they're referring to LDL, which poses a health risk when found in high concentrations in the blood.
Coffee
Coffee contains high amounts of caffeine, the key stimulant that helps keep you awake and alert. It's made by steeping ground coffee beans in hot water and can be done several different ways, including with or without a filter. Coffee is a relatively inexpensive drink and is also consumed as a social beverage in coffee shops throughout the United States.
Disagreements
Although many studies are quick to point out that coffee raises LDL cholesterol levels, DietaryFiberFood.com has published a report that makes some other points about LDL cholesterol and coffee that suggest some benefit. According to the website, coffee may be able to reduce the frequency of LDL cholesterol being oxidized in the body. This is significant because oxidized cholesterol is what increases the risk of heart disease in people, and it can also cause bone density loss. However, DietaryFiberFood.com does not dispute that coffee causes LDL cholesterol levels to rise.
Key Ingredient
According to a report in the New York Times and a later study published by the Baylor College of Medicine, cafestrol is a chemical found in coffee that inhibits low LDL cholesterol levels and causes these levels to rise. In fact, the Baylor College of Medicine says cafestrol can raise cholesterol more than any dietary agent. It does this be inhibiting three genes found in the liver that are used to regulate cholesterol in the bloodstream.
Considerations
Although drinking coffee may pose some health risks according to scientific studies, there are also acknowledgments of ways you can drink coffee to minimize its risk. Drinking coffee through a paper filter, for example, can lessen the risks of coffee consumption because the filter strains some of the cafestrol. Instant coffee contains even less cafestrol because of the processing of the coffee grounds.
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