Unfiltered coffee methods—such as French press, espresso, Turkish, and boiled—retain diterpenes like cafestol and kahweol, which can elevate LDL cholesterol. In contrast, paper-filtered methods (e.g., drip or pour-over) effectively remove these compounds. A recent Swedish study found that replacing three cups of unfiltered coffee with paper-filtered coffee five days a week could reduce LDL cholesterol and lower cardiovascular disease risk by up to 13% over five years.
Notably, many workplace coffee machines use metal filters or lack proper filtration, leading to higher diterpene content in the coffee they produce. This suggests that office coffee may contribute more to elevated cholesterol levels than home-brewed, paper-filtered coffee.
However, some studies indicate that even paper-filtered coffee can modestly increase LDL cholesterol and inflammation markers, regardless of roast level.
In summary, while paper-filtered coffee is generally preferable for managing cholesterol, moderation remains important, especially for individuals with cardiovascular risk factors.