Filtered coffee raises serum cholesterol: results from a controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
Earlier studies and trials have shown a serum cholesterol raising effect of unfiltered coffee, which is reduced by about 80% in filtered coffee. Recent cross-sectional studies and trials, however, have indicated that filtered coffee may have a more pronounced serum cholesterol raising effect than previously anticipated. The objective of this controlled study was to assess the effects of the intake and abstention of filtered brewed coffee on blood lipids.


METHODS
A prospective, controlled study with four consecutive trial periods. The first and third periods were 3 weeks of total coffee abstention. The second and fourth periods consisted of 4 weeks with the subjects consuming 600 ml filter brewed coffee/day.


METHODS
Free-living population. Volunteers.


METHODS
A total of 121 healthy, nonsmoking men and women aged 29-65 y.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Serum total cholesterol, serum HDL cholesterol, serum triglycerides, serum lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)), blood pressure and heart rate.


RESULTS
The two coffee abstention periods were associated with a decline in serum cholesterol of 0.22 mmol/l (95% CI -0.31, -0.13) and 0.36 mmol/l (95% CI -0.46, -0.26), respectively. Filtered coffee/day 600 ml increased serum cholesterol by 0.25 mmol/l (95% CI 0.15, 0.36) and 0.15 mmol/l (95% CI 0.04, 0.26) during the two coffee drinking periods.


CONCLUSIONS
Coffee abstention for 3 weeks decreased total serum cholesterol by 0.22-0.36 mmol/l. A volume of 600 ml (about four cups) of filtered coffee/day during 4 weeks raised total serum cholesterol by 0.15-0.25 mmol/l.
Strandhagen
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Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Ostra, Göteborg, Sweden. elisabeth.strandhagen@hjl.gu.se
Thelle
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DS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003069:Coffee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005374:Filtration; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood
D003069:Coffee; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D014280:Triglycerides; D014527:Uric Acid; D002784:Cholesterol