New research has raised an eyebrow over the cardiovascular disease-inducing health risks of coffee made with office brewing machines. Researchers have found that some office used-brewing machines could be adding humongous levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol, thereby increasing cardiovascular disease risk.
The Culprit: Diterpenes in Unfiltered Coffee
The study, in the Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases journal, focused on two naturally occurring compounds in coffee: cafestol and kahweol. The diterpenes are said to elevate levels of LDL cholesterol. In the test were 14 devices from four Swedish offices, brewing devices, liquid models, and instant machines.
Coffee prepared using brewing machines, which commonly use metal filters, contained more cafestol and kahweol than coffee brewed using paper filters. Paper filters catch these chemicals and, therefore, lower their concentrations in the resulting coffee. Metal filters catch less of these cholesterol-raising chemicals, which pass more through to the coffee.
Implications for Workplace Coffee Consumption
The study suggests that regular consumption of office machine metal-filter coffee can be a causative factor in increasing workers’ LDL cholesterol. This becomes more serious considering the prevalence of such machines in the work environment and the frequency of coffee consumption by workers during the course of work.
Whereas moderate intake of coffee has been found to have an assortment of health benefits, including the reduced risk of some chronic conditions. How coffee is made does have an effect on its impact on the body. Coffee brewed with French presses or metal filters contains higher cafestol and kahweol, compounds with the capability of harming cholesterol.
Healthier Coffee Habits Recommendations
To minimize the health risks brought by unfiltered coffee, the following is recommended by experts:
Use Paper-Filtered Coffee: A paper filter can significantly limit the amount of cafestol and kahweol in your coffee. Shift the drip coffee maker to the office or encourage your office to switch to paper-filter-based equipment.
Limit Unfiltered Coffee Use: If unfiltered coffee is all that’s available at your job, limit consumption to one daily cup. That should limit your risk of an increase in LDL cholesterol levels.
Be Cautious with Additives: The use of cream, sugar, or flavor syrups contributes to your cardiovascular danger. Choose reduced-fat versions like low-fat milk or plant-based creamers and limit added sugars.
Dose Monitoring in Your Day-to-Day Health Routine: Daily consumption of unfiltered coffee in your regular schedule could involve regular testing for cholesterol to monitor your LDL level.
Conclusion
Though coffee is the drink for most, even in the workplace, it is safe to be conscious of the impact of brewing on health. Quantified usage of coffee and filtered coffee allows one to enjoy that morning coffee without compromising one’s health in any way.