The Truth About Coffee and Cholesterol

This is a very important question for anyone who may be concerned about their cholesterol levels. In the past, coffee has been rumored to be bad for you because it can potentially cause heart disease and hypertension. Coffee also does contain caffeine, which is seen as an addicting substance. However, there is new information that has been brought to light lately showing that coffee is full of health benefits and is no longer seen as an unhealthy beverage.
It is very important to monitor your cholesterol levels to protect the health of your heart. If you do have high cholesterol, it does make you vulnerable to a heart attack. When cholesterol in the body becomes high, it will slow down blood flow going to and from the heart. It can also potentially block blood flow, which will become disastrous to the body. Blood is full of oxygen, and when your heart does not receive enough oxygen, you can experience chest pains and difficulty breathing. If this problem does continue, it will cause a heart attack that could be fatal.
In 2001, Dr. Klag reviewed different studies regarding coffee that linked coffee drinking to increasing cholesterol in the body. The research concluded that those who drank 6 cups of coffee each day were prone to having higher cholesterol directly due to unfiltered coffee. This review claimed that the increased cholesterol was supposed to be due to a component found in coffee called terpenes.
Many people also have an issue with coffee due to the caffeine content. It is important to determine whether decaf or caffeinated coffee will affect cholesterol levels in the body. In 2005, the American Heart Association did reveal that individuals who drank decaffeinated coffee were more likely to have an increase in the fatty acids in their body that would raise their LDL cholesterol. This was not the same case for those who drank caffeinated coffee, but only the decaf variety.
The overall conclusion relating to coffee and cholesterol in the body is that everyone does respond differently toward different types of coffee. Coffee is no longer the harmful beverage that it was once thought to be, and it is actually full of antioxidants that can neutralize free radical damage in the body to prevent premature aging and disease. Cholesterol levels in the body cannot be attributed to just one source, but they are affected by many different factors, including smoking, exercise, and the food that you eat.
The overall recommendation is to drink your coffee in moderation, whether it is caffeinated or decaffeinated, or filtered or unfiltered. It is recommended to drink 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day, and that will protect you and reduce your risk of developing many different diseases. Coffee does have the potential to reduce the risk for Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and even cirrhosis of the liver. Again, these cases of coffee affecting cholesterol levels in the body are inconclusive, but it is important to pair your coffee drinking with a healthy diet and exercise program!
Author Bio:
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