Priyanka Tiwari
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We often enjoy the convenience of a coffee machine at the office, as it helps us stay alert and refreshed throughout the day. While black coffee without milk and sugar is known for its health benefits, a recent study has raised concerns about how office coffee machines could negatively impact health. A study conducted in Sweden has suggested a potential link between workplace coffee consumption and increased cholesterol levels, which could lead to long-term heart-related risks.
Understanding the Relationship Between Coffee and Cholesterol
Coffee is beloved worldwide, offering health benefits such as improved focus and antioxidants. However, not all types of coffee are created equal. Scientists have long known that unfiltered coffee can raise levels of bad cholesterol in the body, contributing to an increased risk of heart disease. But now, recent research has highlighted the specific risks posed by coffee brewed in office machines.
The Risks of Office Coffee Machines
Researchers from Uppsala University and Chalmers University of Technology found that coffee brewed in office machines contains significantly higher levels of compounds that raise cholesterol compared to coffee filtered through paper. The study, conducted in Swedish healthcare facilities, analyzed coffee from machines in 14 different office environments, focusing on two natural diterpenes—cafestol and kahweol—that are found in coffee oils.
How Metal Filters Contribute to Increased LDL
These cholesterol-raising compounds, cafestol and kahweol, are typically blocked by paper filters but can pass through metal filters commonly used in office coffee machines. As a result, coffee brewed in such machines often contains higher concentrations of these harmful compounds, potentially increasing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
How Much Coffee Is Dangerous?
The study found that machine-brewed coffee contained cafestol levels of 176 milligrams per liter—nearly 15 times higher than the 12 milligrams per liter found in paper-filtered coffee. The research suggests that workers who consume three or more cups of machine-brewed coffee daily may unknowingly be elevating their LDL cholesterol over time, contributing to heart disease risks.
The Best Option for Healthier Coffee
Switching from metal-filtered coffee to paper-filtered coffee could help reduce LDL cholesterol levels. The study found that LDL cholesterol can decrease by 0.58 mmol/L when consuming paper-filtered coffee instead. This reduction is comparable to cutting two ounces of heavy cream from your daily diet. Over five years, this small change could reduce the risk of heart disease by 13 percent, and over a 40-year career, the reduction could be as high as 36 percent.
In conclusion, while coffee can offer many benefits, choosing the right type of brew—especially in the workplace—could be crucial in maintaining heart health over time.
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