The risk of heart disease and stroke can be reduced by lowering your cholesterol levels. Many types of drinks, including coffee, have chemicals in them that can affect your levels.
Most studies on coffee and health show that drinking four cups or less per day is good for your overall health. However, drinking more than four cups has been linked to a higher risk of dying from heart disease.
Despite the fact that brewed coffee does not contain cholesterol, it does contain chemical components that can elevate cholesterol levels.
The chemical called diterpenes found in coffee inhibits the body’s generation of substance involved in cholesterol breakdown, causing cholesterol levels to rise.
After triglycerides, diterpenes are the most common type of coffee oil, and they belong to the kauren family.
Experts warn that coffee diterpenes can raise total cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoprotein, or “bad” cholesterol) levels.
Instant, or soluble, coffee, according to studies, contains virtually no diterpenes and is thus advised for people concerned about their levels.
Another component found in coffee, acrylamide, has been proven to alter total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
Acrylamide levels in coffee were studied further in a study published in the National Library of Medicine.
A total of 42 coffee samples were examined, including 28 ground roasted coffee samples, 11 instant coffees, and three coffee replacements (grain coffee).
The fidings revealed that “the highest mean acrylamide concentrations were found in coffee substitutes (818 pg/kg) followed by instant coffee (358 microg/kg) and then roasted coffee (179 microg/kg).
“One single cup of coffee (160ml) delivered on average from 0.45 microg acrylamide in roasted coffee to 3.21 microg in coffee substitutes.
“A significant negative correlation was observed between acrylamide levels and the intensity of colour in roasted coffee; this was not the case however for instant coffee.”
The roasting technique had the greatest impact on acrylamide levels in natural coffee, according to the study, but no connections with coffee species were discovered.
“Due to the high acrylamide levels demonstrated in coffee substitutes, recommended amounts should be defined, and manufacturers should be obliged to reduce such levels in these products,” the study wrote.
The following are some healthier morning drinks that can help lower cholesterol levels:
- Green tea
- Soy milk
- Pomegranate juice
- Tomato juice
- Oat drinks
- Berry smoothies
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