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Answer:

Studies of populations suggest that drinking a moderate amount of coffee may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, including certain arrythmias (such as atrial fibrillation), stroke, and death from heart attack and other causes.

However, the news is not all good. Among people with very high blood pressure, even modest amounts of coffee may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack. In addition, certain types of coffee may increase levels of cholesterol and are associated with an increased risk of dementia.

There is also concern about pesticides in coffee; use of coffee during pregnancy; and whether it may affect balance, worsen symptoms of burning mouth syndrome, cause heart palpitations, affect blood sugar levels, or increase the risk of brain bleeds.

Sign in as a member to learn more about the health effects of coffee and instant coffee, including whether adding milk, milk alternatives, or collagen lessens heart benefits of coffee. Also, find out how much caffeine is in regular and decaf coffee, how "fermented coffee" and "cold brew" coffee differ from traditional coffee, and whether drinking "low-acid" coffee, such as Fabula or Puroast, are beneficial for people with acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In addition, learn if drinking coffee prepared with aluminum capsules or bleached filter paper can expose a person to harmful chemicals (and if rinsing the filter before brewing coffee can reduce exposure), and if brewing coffee that comes in plastic capsules causes plasticizers (such as BPA or phthalates) to leach into coffee.

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107 Comments

Dana18998
March 19, 2024

I have bought low acid coffee twice, once in the early 2000's (one of the major supermarket brands),and once last year (Alex's). Both times I felt like they helped, and oddly both times they seemed to irritate my bladder instead. I had forgotten about that when I bought some last year, until I found myself getting up more during the night. Then it all came back to me. I decided to go with regular coffee and watch my spicy food intake better.

anna18964
March 17, 2024

If you really want low acid coffee, don't use hot water. Make cold brew coffee instead. Pour cool water over the coffee and let it sit for 24 hours. It's so much better. I have been only drinking this for years.

Claire18963
March 17, 2024

Are organic mushroom coffees good for you, either instant or the other one I am brewing in refillable k cups? They have become popular. I have one called arabica with "10 functional mushrooms blending".

ConsumerLab.com
July 30, 2024

We are not aware of clinical studies evaluating mushroom coffee for health benefits. However, ConsumerLab.com has tested mushroom coffees for heavy metal contamination, as well as for levels of certain constituents. You can see the Results in our Lion's Mane and Chaga Supplements Review https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/lions-mane-and-chaga/lions-mane-chaga/.

joan18941
March 12, 2024

I am diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment but also have brain bleeds. Is there any research on coffee and the latter?

ConsumerLab.com
March 19, 2024

Details about whether coffee might increase the risk of brain bleeds can be found in the following section of our article: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/is-drinking-coffee-good-or-bad-for-heart-health/coffee-heart-health/#brain-bleed

James9324
December 19, 2023

If protein from milk reduces the chlorogenic acids, what about collagen added to the coffee?

ConsumerLab.com
December 22, 2023

Great question! We've added information about collage in coffee to the following section of our article: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/is-drinking-coffee-good-or-bad-for-heart-health/coffee-heart-health/#collagen

Dana18940
March 12, 2024

I have bought low acid coffee twice, once in the early 2000's (one of the major supermarket brands),and once last year (Alex's). Both times I felt like they helped, and oddly both times they seemed to irritate my bladder instead. I had forgotten about that when I bought some last year, until I found myself getting up more during the night. Then it all came back to me. I decided to go with regular coffee and watch my spicy food intake better.

CLAUDE9323
December 19, 2023

Thank you for this article. Very interesting! You state, in the CV benefits, that "the reductions in [CV] risks were only seen with use of ground coffee, not with instant coffee, which the researchers speculated could be due to differences in the chemicals they contain (Simon, Eur J Prev Cardiol 2022). Given that the study you give as a reference is questionnaire-based, with all the imprecision and self-reporting bias and error typical of this type of research, and that the authors only "speculated", I would be extremely interested if some other research source could be found to help validate the absence of CV benefits from instant coffee.

Ellen9321
December 15, 2023

I use Nutpods, a non-dairy coffee creamer made from almonds and coconut. What effect, if any, would this have on the coffee?

ConsumerLab.com
December 22, 2023

We've added information about the possible effects of almond or coconut milk on the bioavailability of coffee polyphenols to the following section of our article: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/is-drinking-coffee-good-or-bad-for-heart-health/coffee-heart-health/#milk-alternatives

Daniel9319
December 15, 2023

I use a small amount (2 Tablespoons) of Lactaid 1/2 & 1/2 or milk in my k-cup brewed coffee. Should I switch to cremora or coffee mate?

ConsumerLab.com
December 22, 2023

Please see the following section of our article for details about the possible effects of Lactaid or other milk alternatives on the bioavailability of polyphenols in coffee: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/is-drinking-coffee-good-or-bad-for-heart-health/coffee-heart-health/#milk-alternatives

DOMINIC PASQUAROSA
December 15, 2023

What about using light cream, heavy cream in coffee? Do these affect coffee's benefits? I like heavy which was acquired during the keto diet. I use ghee sometimes also.

ConsumerLab.com
December 22, 2023

We've added information about the possible effects of light or heavy cream on the availability of coffee polyphenols in the following section of our article: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/is-drinking-coffee-good-or-bad-for-heart-health/coffee-heart-health/#milk-alternatives

Michael9316
December 15, 2023

While interesting, these studies regarding milk interfering with coffee benefits are ancient, I believe the jury is still out until we get some modern, up to date studies.

Gary26354
November 14, 2023

It would be interesting to see the chemical contaminants/changes that *instant* coffee conjures during its production. Btw, if caffeine bothers you, there are now lots of organic half-caffs on the market.

Janice9310
November 14, 2023

Are there any studies on the amounts of plastic, especially PFAS, found in coffee brewed in a regular coffee machine like Mr. Coffee or a Keurig?

ConsumerLab.com
December 12, 2023

We are not aware of studies assessing the leaching of microplastic or PFAS from coffee machines into coffee. However, as noted in our article, plastic coffee capsules (such as Keurig K-Cups) do not appear to add significant amounts of BPA or other plasticizers (compounds used to make plastic) to coffee: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/is-drinking-coffee-good-or-bad-for-heart-health/coffee-heart-health/#plasticizer.

Bev9308
November 14, 2023

How many oz coffee per cup in this study? As you know, we Americans supersize everything!

ConsumerLab.com
December 12, 2023

In the study that evaluated how much aluminum is introduced into coffee brewed with an aluminum coffee pot or aluminum coffee capsules, the weekly estimates of aluminum intake assumed that an individual consumed 0.5 L (17 fl oz or roughly 2 cups) of coffee per day.

James9306
November 14, 2023

What about Keurig plastic pods and heating plastic ?

ConsumerLab.com
November 27, 2023

As we explain in our article, plastic coffee capsules (e.g., Keurig K-Cups) do not appear to add significant amounts of plasticizer residues such as bisphenols (including BPA), phthalates, and benzophenones to coffee: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/is-drinking-coffee-good-or-bad-for-heart-health/coffee-heart-health/#plasticizer

Helena9304
November 14, 2023

Is there mold in coffee and should this be a concern?

ConsumerLab.com
November 27, 2023

Please see our article titled "Is it true that most coffee is contaminated with mold?":
https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/is-it-true-that-most-coffee-is-contaminated-with-mold/mold-in-coffee/

ELIZABETH9302
August 13, 2023

Thanks for your excellent information as usual. You mentioned K cups, do the generic K cups with the plastic container and foil top also lower the chemicals causing higher cholesterol levels as paper filters do?

ConsumerLab.com
August 15, 2023

As we explain in the following section of our article, disposable plastic K-cups do have a paper filter and would be expected to lower levels of cholesterol-raising chemicals found in coffee: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/is-drinking-coffee-good-or-bad-for-heart-health/coffee-heart-health/#unfiltered-coffee-cholesterol

jake9295
April 14, 2023

A barista recommended I wet the white paper filter to remove some disagreeable taste before brewing. Could that also help remove some of the undesirable chemicals from the filter? If so a light wetting enough or more thorough one needed?

ConsumerLab.com
April 28, 2023

Great question! We've added information about whether pouring hot water through a paper coffee filter can help reduce undesirable chemicals in the following section of our article: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/is-drinking-coffee-good-or-bad-for-heart-health/coffee-heart-health/#rinsing

Barbara9296
November 17, 2023

I recommend the brown filters. The white ones have been bleached.

George R9291
April 14, 2023

From my perspective coffee should never be roasted past light roast;for many reasons,but for me I dislike anything that taste burnt taste like so many of the commercial offering on the market today.Plus when you add the facts about tainted paper this factor goods up. I love coffee and all I want to taste is coffee and nothing else.

Michael9293
November 14, 2023

Completely agree, just the smell of dark roast beans repulses me. Too many restaurants serve dark roast as their standard offering.

Les9292
November 15, 2023

If you perspective is based on taste, I am with you. Another benefit, as I understand it, is lighter roasts preserve the alkaloid trigonelline; researchers have found that it improves spatial learning and memory in senescence-accelerated mice. The study also suggested that this effect results from inhibiting neuroinflammation and restoring neurotransmitter levels in the brain. (Sharmin Aktar, Farhana Ferdousi, Shinji Kondo, Tamami Kagawa, Hiroko Isoda. Transcriptomics and biochemical evidence of trigonelline ameliorating learning and memory decline in the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) model by suppressing proinflammatory cytokines and elevating neurotransmitter release. GeroScience, 2023; DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-00919-x)

Ildi18821
February 23, 2024

Lighter roasts don't degrade as much of the chlorogenic acid (the key antioxidant compounds in coffee) as dark roast, but lighter roasts are significantly higher in acrylamide than dark roasted coffee, if acrylamide is of concern.
https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/what-is-acrylamide-is-it-true-that-coffee-and-cocoa-contain-this-toxin/acrylamide-coffee-cocoa/

Jordan9289
April 14, 2023

What about molds that cause mycotoxins in coffee? Some companies are stating that US coffee is contaminated and recipient of failed European coffee and that they're specially tested coffee is superior. Is this an issue?

ConsumerLab.com
April 17, 2023

Hi Jordan- Please see our article about coffee and mold contamination https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/is-it-true-that-most-coffee-is-contaminated-with-mold/mold-in-coffee/.

Patricia9285
April 05, 2023

Can you report how much caffeine remains in coffee after the decaffeinating process? I am 82 with sinus tachycardia, love coffee and Consumerlab with a passion, and now trying to figure out whether to switch to regular or decaf instant. regular or decaf instant.

ConsumerLab.com
April 13, 2023

Hi Patricia - We've added information about amounts of caffeine in decaf coffee to help answer your question in the article above.

Judy9276
March 04, 2023

Is there any information about cold-brew coffee? I switched and it seems much less acidic than regular drip coffee.

ConsumerLab.com
March 05, 2023

There is some evidence that cold-brewed coffee may be slightly less acidic than hot-brewed coffee (https://www.morressier.com/o/event/5e733c5acde2b641284a7e27/article/5e736c70cde2b641284abdff), but not all studies have found this to be the case, and other factors, such as the variety of coffee bean used, may also be a factor (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-34392-w).

Joella9277
April 04, 2023

Is there any information on fermented coffee; i.e., Daye's Fermented Coffee? The advertisement says it is decaffinated and low in acid.

ConsumerLab.com
April 07, 2023

We've added information about fermented coffee to the following section of our article: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/is-drinking-coffee-good-or-bad-for-heart-health/coffee-heart-health/#fermented

David9281
April 15, 2023

I've only had cold brewed coffee a few times in my life, but each time I do, I am reminded how good the coffee tastes. It is seems to be naturally sweeter as well. With hot coffee, I prefer it with added sweeteners. With cold brewed, it is sweet enough for me.
I imagine it doesn't take any more time to make a batch of cold brew than it does to make hot brewed coffee. I just need to make it in advance.

Rebecca9259
November 13, 2022

I have serious acid reflux problems and was recently diagnosed as having “Barrett’s Esophagus,” surface changes inside the esophagus caused by chronic acid reflux. Apparently, this B.E. Is fairly common, but a potential longterm risk factor for developing esophageal cancer. Unfortunately, I’m also a serious longterm coffee addict, so I’ve been searching for ways to greatly reduce my coffee’s acidity so I can still have a few cups a day. I read somewhere that crushing and mixing 1 fresh egg shell into the coffee grounds before brewing each pot will greatly reduce the acidity (… probably due to neutralization due to the high pH of all that calcium). I’ve tried it for a while and the coffee does seem a bit milder. I grind several weeks worth of eggshells in my little mortar and pestle, and keep a jar of the bits next to my coffee maker. I’m not sure it helps enough, and wonder how this addition affects the other risks and benefits of coffee. Does CL have any info or thoughts on this?

ConsumerLab.com
November 18, 2022

As noted in our CL answer about the effect of minerals on the acidity and flavor of coffee, ground eggshells are unlikely to be significantly beneficial: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/does-coffee-deplete-magnesium/coffee-magnesium/#eggshell

David9272
January 08, 2023

A major causal factor in acid reflux is reflux when you've gone to bed. That is, food in the process of digestion may get refluxed into the throat, causing damage. I've had almost no problem with reflux since--per my primary care doc's suggestion--I've been doing most of my eating before six PM and much of it in the morning (I go to bed around 11-12PM). I suspect that the coffee being swallowed is very little of the problem. Food being refluxed at night while sleeping is probably most of it. Alcohol at night is also bad--it loosens the sphincter that is supposed to keep food in the stomach when you are lying down. I love my coffee more than anything else I ingest, and I'm happy to help a fellow coffee lover.

derf
March 01, 2023

I put a couple books (probably 4 to 6 inches) under the legs at the head of my bed, and I think that helps keep the contents in the stomach from working their way up the esophagus. I know it helps somewhat because when I travel if I can't get something under the legs at the head of the bed I will wake up with acid in my throat. I'm sure that not eating close to bedtime helps. I take omeprazole every day at the recommendation of my doctor. I have no financial interest in anything concerning this.

Tracie9266
April 04, 2023

I was diagnosed with GERD. I also have constipation. No food after 6pm, elevation on the bed helps. Read Consumerlab article on IBS. Not technically IBS but I take a good probiotic which helps the constipation. Also taking Jarrow L - Glutamine; 1/2 a tsp in water in the morning on an empty stomach(can cause problems for some people, see article), and a low dose of time released melatonin. I am drinking decaf coffee again. Caffeine seems to be a primary irritant for me. Stress is also a big factor. The pain in my sternum is almost gone.

brian9260
April 04, 2023

I have found that making "Cowboy Coffee" greatly reduces the acidity and makes a smoother tasting coffee. It's basically rolling boiling the coffee grounds. Plenty of videos online for technique. I do this while camping over gas stove and at home on electric stove. No Special grounds or brands required.

rosalie9264
April 06, 2023

Tracie,
What probiotic do you use that helps constipation?

David9263
April 09, 2023

I have GERD and now put 2% milk in my coffee to reduce acidity. I completely quit drinking coffee for a month and didn’t notice much difference in my reflux symptoms. Definitely felt less alert at work. Completely eliminating mint, including avoiding mint flavored toothpaste and dental floss, has helped a lot. I’m now off proton pump inhibitors. Still take Famotidine at night. I found limited options for mint-free dental products - using Tom’s strawberry kids toothpaste and Dr. Tung’s Smart Floss - cardamom flavor. Hope this info helps.

Annabel9274
April 11, 2023

I had gerd and horrible heartburn for decades. I tried eating a true keto diet with 20-30 grams of carbs a day, and the both gerd and heartburn were gone within about 2 weeks. Haven't eaten a keto diet for about a year and the acid reflux part is starting to come back.

Karen
November 13, 2022

I buy a coffee called the bean which is organic coffee. I must admit I probably drank about 4 cups of coffee a day. It is with caffeine and it’s the only vice I have left. I am 74 years old and show no signs of dementia. And it doesn’t seem to affect my health. According to your information, brewed coffee shows less pesticides which is the only kind of coffee I drink. But it is my understanding that a lot of pesticides are used on the coffee beans which is why I buy organic coffee. I guess I’m going to have to cut back.

Nina
April 04, 2023

Aromatic coffee is one of the small joys in life. Live life and enjoy your brew. “I have no vested interest in coffee”. I simply enjoy drinking it.

Kristin9247
November 09, 2022

Two separate family members have been told by two separate MD's that coffee is good for you if you have NAFLD.
Do you know of any research to back that up?

ConsumerLab.com
November 10, 2022

Please see the section about coffee in our CL Answer about non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/supplements-for-fatty-liver-disease/fatty-liver-disease/#coffee.

Linda9220
February 27, 2022

I make my latte every morning in my espresso machine, which of course I do not have the choice of inserting a paper filter. Any suggestions as to how to get a filter to fit in the small espresso filter holder assembly?

Karen9237
September 13, 2022

Lots of trouble...you have to buy paper filters and use a round paper punch the diameter of your espresso basket. My cholesterol shot up wildly when I changed from filtered coffee to espresso. I think there's merit to these studies.

Al9221
November 08, 2022

I have 1 double shot Flat White that I make in our Espresso Machine, every morning for the past two years. No increase in my LDL. No paper filter.

Lori9225
November 08, 2022

If your espresso machine came with a "press", it is precisely the right size to use as a template for cutting your own paper filters (which is what I do). I buy brown paper filters, take about four of them in a stack, fold in half twice, then hold the stack against the press and cut around them. The resulting paper disks fit perfectly into the portafilter. Add the ground beans on top and you are set. This all takes about two minutes and I have enough for over a week's worth of morning coffees.

Alan9234
November 09, 2022

Our grocery store sells disc-style coffee filters, 100 to a package that fit a French press perfectly. They have the hole punched in the center. We have been using these for years. They are made by Melitta and by Brew Rite. They run $1.29 per package at our grocery (Woodmans).

David9230
November 11, 2022

Thank you Alan, good idea.

EH99
April 28, 2023

I use a mocca pot. pour it into a filter holder with filter that sits on my cup. I rinse the same filter and use it three or four times. Seems to have done the trick.

Phoebe9214
December 03, 2021

Does the Swedish study consider one cup of coffee to be 8 oz or 6 oz?

ConsumerLab.com
December 05, 2021

In that study, one cup of coffee was defined as 5 oz. We've added this information in the answer above.

Andrea9210
December 03, 2021

Has anyone experienced having burning mouth syndrome after drinking coffee/tea? I drink my coffee warm yet the tip of my tongue feels singed.

ConsumerLab.com
December 08, 2021

We've added information about this in the answer above.

Tracie9213
April 23, 2023

Rosalee, ConsumerLab has a nice chart in the article on Probiotics showing for what some of the different strains are used for. Currently I am taking
"Bio -Kult Probiotic Supplement with 14 probiotic strains" for my constipation. I found it on Amazon by searching reviews under probiotics with the keyword "constipation". This product had several comments that it helped with constipation. Of course Amazon comments are anecdotal and may not be accurate. I found it helpful for me. It also does not require refrigeration like another expensive brand I used to use; and the price is doable for me at 32 cents a capsule. Also like that the capsules are in punch cards that I can easily carry in my purse. I have no financial interest in this product or in Amazon.

ConsumerLab.com
April 24, 2023

Hi Tracie and Rosalee, you can find our table summarizing the evidence for different probiotic strains for various uses in the "What They Do" section of our Probiotics Supplements Review, here https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/probiotic-supplements/probiotics/#evidence.

Dan9193
September 17, 2020

I found it very surprising this article to slipped past a company that people count on to take meaningful measurements and make meaningful recommendations.
The article was all about the number of cups of coffee (filtered or unfiltered) consumed, but had little to use in measuring a life style.

I understand the need for generalization. However, since the article was so specific in relating ounces, some mention of concentration might have been a good idea.

Its very unlikely that 4.2 oz of expresso is the same as 4.2 oz metal mesh drip.
If we were to use one K-cup and set the Keurig to 4oz, is that actually one cup of coffee? How about those that select 12oz. Would that be three cups?

ConsumerLab.com
September 24, 2020

Hi Dan – you are correct that the amount of cafestol and kahweol per cup of coffee differs depending on the brewing method, and not all unfiltered coffee carries the same magnitude of risk for increasing cholesterol. However, earlier studies have quantified the concentrations of these diterpenes per cup of coffee (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1295997/pdf/jrsocmed00049-0024.pdf), and the results align well with what is reported in our answer above (i.e., that paper-filtered and instant coffee have negligible risk, espresso and mocha have moderate risk, and unfiltered coffees prepared by boiling or Turkish coffees have highest risk of increasing cholesterol).

Jane Davis
July 21, 2021

If I drink coffee or tea I get AFIB

kate9199
December 04, 2021

I drink organic decaf coffee found on Amazon. Delicious!

Pinky9196
February 27, 2022

could you tell me what brand of decaf coffee is good on Amazon?

Steve9198
April 04, 2023

Pinky24631, The best decaf coffee I found is "Kicking Horse" coffee. Besides being decaffeinated, it's also organic.

christine9204
April 04, 2023

I buy Eko Cups organics fair trade coffee on Amazon (k cups). It's delicious and does not taste like decaf at all to me and I've tried several!

Dawn9202
April 17, 2023

Ruta Maya organic fair trade decaf from Costco online is my fav

Georgia9190
September 16, 2020

Please advise if Nespresso pods used in Nespresso machines are considered "filtered" like k-cups. Thank you.

ConsumerLab.com
September 29, 2020

Unlike K-cups, Nespresso does not provide capsules or coffee products that use paper filters. Therefore, they would be classified as unfiltered.

Katherine9181
September 10, 2020

As a coffee lover, I was quite interested in this research. However, I often drink a delicious organic instant coffee. Any research or thoughts on the cafestol and kahweol content contained in instant coffee? Thank you.

ConsumerLab.com
September 24, 2020

Hi Katherine – The amount of cafestol and kahweol found in instant coffee is similar to that found in paper-filtered coffee (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1295997/pdf/jrsocmed00049-0024.pdf).

Frances9187
January 10, 2021

Where on earth have you found a delicious instant organic coffee?

Ivan9183
March 17, 2021

We use Mount Hagen Organic Coffee -Cafe Decaffeinated or Caffeinated.

Sandra9186
December 03, 2021

Yes- I agree. Mt Hagen Organic decaf or reg Coffee is great! We use the individual pkgs not the jar.

Susan9189
December 03, 2021

I like Safeways Organics Organic instant coffee which comes in a glass jar. They make a de-caf too. As a single person I like not filling up landfills with K-cups or emptying coffee filters and grounds every day.

Paula9185
April 04, 2023

Whole Foods 365 brand instant caf or decaf also comes in a (small) glass jar and I find it quite good. (Confession: I'm not that particular about coffee even though somewhat addicted. No financial interest in this or any other product.)

Susan9182
April 07, 2023

I hate to tout Starbucks, but Starbucks Via decaf Italian Roast is darn good for an instant coffee. To save a bit on the cost I buy it in bulk quantities on eBay--just FYI it maintains its flavor well past the expiration date. I have no financial interest in Starbucks or eBay.

Tim9178
September 10, 2020

I normally use paper filters when brewing coffee, but my sister just gave me a cloth filter (Chemex). Do you know if those are as effective as paper filters? Thanks!

ConsumerLab.com
September 25, 2020

Research has shown that some, but not all, cotton-nylon cloth filters can remove cafestol and kahweol from coffee (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3115845/pdf/1475-2891-10-48.pdf). The difference seems to depend on the material used for the cloth filter, as well as the number of times the coffee is filtered. To be safe, it would be prudent to consider using paper filters.

Teneyke9176
September 10, 2020

I have been using a metal filter for the last year, I had never used one before. I will switch back to now to paper, great article.

Janet9172
September 09, 2020

Would coffee made from the Keurig machine also raise cholesterol in the same way as unfiltered coffee? Seems like it would, but this is not mentioned in the article. Thanks.

ConsumerLab.com
September 10, 2020

Hi Janet - thanks for your question! We've added information about this to the answer above.

Alan9174
April 15, 2023

It would seem that the small paper filter inside a K-Cup would perform just like a paper filter in any typical filtered coffee maker.

Deborah9168
September 08, 2020

I clicked on the article link, but the details are scarce. I wanted to determine if the study accounted for what trial participants may have added to their coffee, assuming that participants are honest about the additives. I can understand that adding unhealthy fats, such as cream, and possibly also sugar, would definitely raise LDL and triglyceride levels. On the other hand, I just add almond milk and Stevia. Dr. Cooperman, please let me know if you have more details in this regard, because I'm a worrier. Much Thanks!

ConsumerLab.com
September 10, 2020

Hi Deborah - great question! We've reviewed the individual studies cited in the analysis and have updated our full answer above to explain whether coffee additives such as milk, creamer or sugar may have influenced the results.

Richard9164
September 06, 2020

Regarding the recent Chinese analysis showing that heavier coffee consumption is associated with higher cholesterol: Do you know how a "cup" was defined? At least in the US, if you mention a "cup of coffee" the thought these days is of, say, a generous mug, which can be far larger than traditional "coffee cups," or than what you will be served if you request a "cup" of coffee in many other countries. This definition can greatly change one's practical takeaway from the study.

ConsumerLab.com
September 10, 2020

Hi Richard, great points! We've added information related to your comments - including how a "cup" was defined and how this volume compares to a typical mug - to the answer above.

Mike9159
September 06, 2020

I believe the way coffee is brewed has a direct result on LDL levels. Specifically, coffee that is brewed with a paper filter via drip versus percolated has a negligible effect on LDL. Apparently, the paper filter captures the coffee oils which are responsible for the modest effect on LDL.

ConsumerLab.com
September 10, 2020

Hi Mike - You are correct. We've added information about this to the answer above.

Letcher9157
October 02, 2017

I have read that coffee (caffeine?) can be a big problem ( or one cause) for acid reflux.

Michael9148
September 27, 2017

I used to drink up to five mugs of coffee a day. At the age of 70 I started to have an irregular heart beat. Meaing my heart would miss a beart or two and then douible up the next beats. This caused an uncomfortable feeling in my chest and neck. I went to my doctor and I ended up doing a stress test with a cardiogram, etc. The conclusion was to cut way back on the caffiene Result, the irregular heart beats stopped. Now I drink decaffineated coffee.

James9154
September 09, 2020

Do you have any information on how "cold brewed" coffee affects cholesterol levels?
Thanks.

ConsumerLab.com
September 25, 2020

There is limited research about the amount of cafestol and kahweol in cold-brewed coffee, but at least some evidence suggests that cold-brewed coffee contains these chemicals in amounts similar to unfiltered coffee unless the cold-brewed coffee is filtered through a paper filter: https://www.accessscience.com/content/BR0314161.

Researcher
September 06, 2023

I just started drinking coffee for some energy boost. I am limiting my amount to 4 oz a day. I want to use instant. Should I filter it through a paper filter?

Gary26354
November 14, 2023

There's no need to filter instant coffee.

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