Is Your Office Coffee Maker Raising Cholesterol? Study Reveals
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Synopsis
A new study suggests that office coffee brewing machines may be a hidden factor in rising cholesterol levels. Researchers from Sweden found that these machines contain diterpenes, which can increase cholesterol, putting cardiovascular health at risk. Filtered coffee is recommended for those concerned about cholesterol.
Key Takeaways
- Office coffee machines may elevate cholesterol levels.
- Diterpenes like cafestol and kahweol are responsible.
- Filtered coffee is safer for cardiovascular health.
- Metal filters allow harmful compounds to pass through.
- Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
New Delhi, March 22 (NationPress) Do you enjoy that aromatic cup of coffee at your workplace? Caution is advised, as your office's coffee brewing equipment might be contributing to elevated cholesterol levels, according to a recent study.
The research, conducted by scholars from Uppsala University and Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, revealed that automated coffee brewing machines present in workplaces contain natural substances, referred to as diterpenes, which are known to raise cholesterol levels.
Increased cholesterol levels are a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
The findings, reported in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, indicated that coffee analyzed from 14 machines in Swedish healthcare environments exhibited significantly higher concentrations of cafestol and kahweol.
Cafestol and kahweol are specific diterpenes found in coffee, recognized for their potential to elevate cholesterol levels.
The quantities of these diterpenes in coffee from brewing machines were markedly higher than those in paper-filtered coffee. This is because paper filters generally trap these compounds, whereas metal filters utilized in various coffee machines permit them to enter your cup.
The researchers assessed various brewing machines that produce coffee in 10-30 seconds by passing hot water through ground coffee beans and a metal filter, alongside liquid-model machines that mix liquid coffee concentrate with hot water, and instant machines.
While the brewing machines demonstrated the most elevated diterpene levels, the liquid-model machines typically contained lower levels comparable to paper-filtered coffee.
For espresso, a notable and unexplained variation in diterpene concentration was observed among the four samples analyzed. This warrants further investigation, as it may have implications for regular espresso drinkers, according to the research team.
“Considering the concentrations of cafestol and kahweol in the examined machine coffees, thoroughly filtered coffee appears to be the better option for cardiovascular health. Therefore, filtered coffee should be preferred in workplace environments,” stated the researchers.
“Consuming inadequately filtered coffee during work hours may be an overlooked factor affecting cardiovascular health due to its influence on plasma cholesterol levels,” they added.
The researchers also pointed out significant limitations, including a small sample size and insufficient details regarding the designs of each coffee machine. They urged for more studies to establish a definitive link.
