Can Coffee Cause Your Cholesterol to Rise? The Facts You Need

November 3, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a meta-analysis in the American Journal of Epidemiology, unfiltered coffee can increase cholesterol levels by an average of nearly 12 points. While this sounds alarming, the truth about how coffee can cause your cholesterol to rise is far more nuanced, depending heavily on the brewing method and amount consumed.

Quick Summary

Brewing methods like French press and espresso contain diterpenes, compounds that can elevate LDL cholesterol. Using paper filters significantly reduces these compounds, mitigating the risk for high cholesterol individuals.

Key Points

Diterpenes are the Culprit: Unfiltered coffee contains oily compounds called diterpenes (cafestol and kahweol) that can raise LDL cholesterol levels.
Filtration is Key: Brewing with a paper filter, like in drip or pour-over methods, effectively removes these cholesterol-raising compounds.
Unfiltered Brews Pose a Higher Risk: Methods like French press, Turkish coffee, and boiled coffee allow diterpenes to pass into your cup, increasing cholesterol.
Moderation for Espresso and Add-ins: While espresso contains some diterpenes, its smaller serving size means a lower impact. High-fat additives also boost cholesterol.
The Health Paradox: Despite potential cholesterol increases from unfiltered coffee, moderate overall coffee consumption is linked to a lower risk of heart disease, likely due to other beneficial antioxidants.

Understanding Diterpenes: The Cholesterol Culprits

Coffee beans naturally contain oily compounds called diterpenes, with cafestol and kahweol being the most studied. These substances are what directly influence your body's cholesterol production. Unlike dietary cholesterol found in animal products, which has a less direct impact on blood cholesterol, diterpenes interfere with your body's cholesterol metabolism, leading to an increase in LDL (low-density lipoprotein), or "bad" cholesterol levels.

The amount of these diterpenes that end up in your cup is the critical factor. Brewing methods that do not use a paper filter allow the oils and their cholesterol-raising compounds to pass directly into your drink. Conversely, paper filters are highly effective at trapping these oils, resulting in a cleaner brew with a negligible effect on your cholesterol.

The Science Behind Unfiltered Coffee's Impact

Research has clearly established a link between unfiltered coffee and elevated cholesterol. In one study, participants who drank unfiltered coffee for several weeks experienced a significant rise in their total and LDL cholesterol compared to those drinking filtered coffee. This effect is dose-dependent, meaning the more unfiltered coffee you drink, the more pronounced the increase in your LDL levels is likely to be.

It's important to distinguish between coffee itself and the popular, high-calorie additions. While the brewing method is key for controlling diterpenes, ingredients like full-fat cream, sugar, and butter (in "bulletproof" coffee) also contribute saturated fats that can raise cholesterol. Moderation in both your brewing and your additives is crucial for managing your heart health.

Brewing Method Comparison: Filtered vs. Unfiltered

The table below outlines how different brewing methods affect the diterpene content in your final cup of coffee. The differences highlight why switching your brewing technique can be a simple but effective strategy for managing cholesterol.


Brewing Method	Filtration Type	Diterpene (Cafestol/Kahweol) Content
Drip Coffee	Paper Filter	Very Low. The paper filter traps nearly all the cholesterol-raising oils.
Pour-Over	Paper Filter	Very Low. Similar to drip coffee, the paper filter removes the harmful oils.
Aeropress	Paper Filter	Very Low. Using the paper filter option effectively screens out diterpenes.
French Press	Metal Mesh	High. The mesh filter allows most coffee oils to pass through.
Turkish/Greek	Unfiltered	High. No filtration method is used, leaving the oils and grounds in the brew.
Boiled Coffee	Unfiltered	High. Similar to Turkish coffee, this method results in a high diterpene content.
Espresso	Unfiltered/Quick	Moderate. While unfiltered, the small serving size and quick brew time result in a moderate, rather than high, level of diterpenes per cup.

Beyond Diterpenes: Other Factors at Play

While diterpenes are the primary factor linking coffee to cholesterol, other elements of your coffee consumption and personal biology can influence the outcome. Some studies suggest that caffeine itself might have a complex effect, potentially inhibiting an enzyme that regulates cholesterol, although the overall impact is still debated. Genetic factors also play a role, with some individuals potentially being more sensitive to coffee's effects on cholesterol. For example, one Norwegian study found that espresso consumption affected men's cholesterol more strongly than women's.

The Paradoxical Health Benefits of Coffee

Despite the cholesterol-raising potential of unfiltered coffee, large-scale observational studies have consistently shown that moderate coffee consumption (about 3–5 cups per day) is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. This creates a seeming paradox. Experts believe this is because coffee also contains numerous beneficial compounds, such as antioxidants, that offer protective effects that may, for many people, outweigh the cholesterol-related risks. These other health benefits include potential protection against type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and liver disease. Ultimately, the healthiest choice depends on your individual health profile and risk factors.

Conclusion: Making Heart-Conscious Coffee Choices

The question of whether coffee causes your cholesterol to rise is not a simple yes or no; the answer depends on your brewing method and frequency. For those concerned about cholesterol, opting for a paper-filtered brewing method like drip coffee, pour-over, or Aeropress is the clearest and most effective way to minimize exposure to cholesterol-raising diterpenes. If you enjoy unfiltered brews like French press or espresso, consuming them in moderation is a sensible approach. For all coffee drinkers, limiting high-fat additives is also a key step towards maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. If you have existing high cholesterol or heart concerns, it's always best to discuss your coffee habits and diet with a healthcare professional to determine the best strategy for your needs.

To learn more about healthy lifestyle choices, consider reviewing the health and wellness content available at the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brewing methods that use a paper filter, such as drip coffee, pour-over, or using an Aeropress with a paper filter, are best for minimizing cholesterol-raising diterpenes.

Yes, even decaffeinated coffee contains diterpenes. However, filtered decaf coffee has a much lower diterpene content than unfiltered regular or decaf coffee, so the risk is minimal.

For individuals with high cholesterol, it is prudent to stick to filtered coffee and practice moderation. Many studies point to 3–5 cups per day as generally safe for overall health, but consulting a doctor is recommended.

If you have high cholesterol, you should limit your intake of unfiltered brews like French press. Enjoying it occasionally is likely fine, but regular, heavy consumption can increase your cholesterol levels.

Both can raise cholesterol. Unfiltered brewing adds diterpenes, while high-fat cream or other additives add saturated fat. For the most heart-healthy cup, use a paper filter and choose low-fat or plant-based milks.

Quitting coffee altogether is not necessary and likely won't cause a significant drop in cholesterol levels. A more effective strategy is to switch to filtered coffee and focus on other key lifestyle changes like diet and exercise.

While the type of bean (e.g., Arabica vs. Robusta) and roast level can affect diterpene content slightly, the brewing method is the most significant factor by far. Focusing on filtration is more impactful than choosing a specific bean.