If you’ve ever needed an excuse to splurge on a new coffee machine, good news—science might have your back. A recent study published in Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases found that your favorite brew may be doing more than just waking you up. It turns out, how your coffee is made could have a real impact on your cholesterol levels. So yes, your office coffee machine might actually be affecting your heart health.
Researchers discovered that brewing methods play a big role in how much of a particular compound—called diterpenes—ends up in your coffee. Diterpenes (specifically cafestol and kahweol) are naturally occurring in coffee and have been shown to raise LDL (aka “bad”) cholesterol. And guess what? The machines we often use at work can either dial these up or keep them in check.
Here’s the lowdown: workplace coffee machines that use a liquid concentrate model (think those more industrial brewers you might find in larger office setups) tend to make coffee with lower levels of these cholesterol-raising compounds. Their performance is similar to good old-fashioned paper-filtered coffee, which removes most of the diterpenes before they hit your cup.
On the flip side, the study found that super-automatic machines—those sleek, push-a-button-and-get-an-espresso kinds—produced coffee with significantly higher diterpene levels. Same goes for espresso in general. So, if you’re pounding multiple shots a day at work or at home, it could be worth rethinking your brew.
To help you weigh your options, here’s a quick breakdown of common brewing methods:
Brewing Methods & Cholesterol Impact
Paper-Filtered Drip Coffee
Pros: Low in diterpenes, heart-friendly, widely accessible
Cons: Takes time, less robust flavor for some
French Press / Cafetière
Pros: Bold flavor, rich and full-bodied
Cons: High in diterpenes, not ideal for cholesterol watchers
Espresso (and super-automatic machines)
Pros: Strong, quick, café-style coffee
Cons: High diterpene content, potential LDL increase with high intake
Liquid Coffee Machines (workplace-style)
Pros: Lower diterpenes, convenient for large groups
Cons: Often lacks flavor complexity
Final Thoughts
The takeaway? If heart health is a priority (and let’s be real, it should be), you might want to pay closer attention to your brewing setup. It might be time to trade in your espresso habit for a paper-filtered drip or opt for office machines that serve up a healthier cup. Who knew cholesterol could be one more reason to upgrade your daily brew?
Reference
Linden, E. A., Holven, K. B., Blomhoff, R., & Høstmark, A. T. (2024). Workplace coffee machines and diterpene levels: Implications for cholesterol metabolism. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2024.03.012
