Is French Press or Pour Over Healthier?

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2020 study in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, filtered coffee is associated with lower mortality rates compared to unfiltered coffee. When comparing brewing methods, many people wonder: is French press or pour over healthier? The key health difference between these two popular methods comes down to the filtration method and the presence of certain natural compounds.

Quick Summary

This article explores the health impacts of French press and pour over coffee, focusing on how diterpenes like cafestol affect cholesterol levels. It compares the paper filtration used in pour over with the metal mesh of a French press, outlining why pour over is generally considered the healthier choice, particularly for those with cholesterol concerns.

Key Points

Pour over is healthier for heart health: The paper filter in a pour over traps cholesterol-raising compounds (diterpenes), which are present in French press coffee.
French press can raise cholesterol: Unfiltered French press coffee allows diterpenes like cafestol to pass into the brew, potentially increasing LDL cholesterol levels, especially with heavy consumption.
Filtration is key: The primary health difference lies in the filtration method; paper filters remove diterpenes, while the French press's metal mesh does not.
Risk increases with consumption: Heavy, daily consumption of unfiltered French press coffee has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.
Both methods offer antioxidants: Both French press and pour over coffee are rich in beneficial antioxidants, though the filtration process may slightly alter their concentration.
Consider your health needs: Individuals with heart disease risk factors or high cholesterol should opt for pour over coffee. Others can enjoy French press in moderation.

The debate over which coffee brewing method is superior often revolves around flavor, body, and aroma. However, for the health-conscious consumer, the choice between a French press and a pour over can have more significant implications. The primary differentiating health factor is the presence of oily compounds called diterpenes, specifically cafestol and kahweol, which can raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in the bloodstream.

The French Press: Full Body, Full Oils

A French press brews coffee by full immersion, allowing coffee grounds to steep in hot water before being pressed down with a metal mesh filter. This method allows the coffee's natural oils, which carry much of its flavor and texture, to pass into the final cup. While this results in a bolder, more full-bodied brew that many enthusiasts love, it also means that diterpenes like cafestol are not effectively removed.

Studies have shown that regular consumption of unfiltered coffee, including French press, can increase LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Research cited by Harvard Health and others indicates that consuming five cups of French press coffee daily could increase LDL cholesterol by 6-8%. While the effects may be trivial for moderate drinkers without existing cholesterol issues, they are a significant consideration for individuals with heart health concerns.

Potential French Press Health Risks

Elevated LDL Cholesterol: The unfiltered oils pass through the mesh, directly contributing to higher levels of 'bad' cholesterol.
Increased Triglycerides: Some studies have also linked unfiltered coffee to a rise in triglycerides, another marker for heart disease risk.
Greater Heart Disease Risk: For heavy drinkers (more than four to five cups daily), long-term consumption of unfiltered coffee may increase the risk of heart-related issues.

The Pour Over: Clear Taste, Filtered Health

In contrast, the pour over method involves pouring hot water slowly and deliberately over coffee grounds in a cone, relying on gravity to drip the brew through a paper filter. This simple paper barrier is the key health difference. Paper filters are highly effective at trapping the coffee's oils and fine particles, including the cholesterol-raising cafestol and kahweol.

The result is a cleaner, clearer, and often less acidic cup of coffee that emphasizes the beans' more subtle, delicate flavors. From a health standpoint, this filtration process significantly reduces the amount of diterpenes entering your body. For individuals monitoring their cholesterol, pour over coffee is a safer, heart-friendlier choice.

Potential Pour Over Health Benefits

Lower Cholesterol Impact: The paper filter effectively removes most diterpenes, minimizing the coffee's impact on LDL cholesterol.
Reduced Heart Disease Risk: Studies have linked filtered coffee to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, suggesting a protective effect compared to unfiltered methods.
Preserved Antioxidants: The filtering process doesn't eliminate all beneficial compounds. Coffee is a rich source of antioxidants, and filtered brews retain many of these health-promoting properties.

Comparison Table: French Press vs. Pour Over Health


Feature	French Press	Pour Over
Filtration	Metal mesh filter	Paper filter
Coffee Oils	Passes into the cup	Mostly trapped by paper
Diterpenes (Cafestol)	Passes into the cup	Effectively removed by paper
LDL Cholesterol	Can increase levels, especially with heavy consumption	Has minimal to no impact on cholesterol levels
Flavor Profile	Full-bodied, rich, oily	Clean, clear, acidic, less body
Primary Health Concern	Impact on cholesterol for at-risk individuals	Minimal health concerns related to filtration
Best for...	Those prioritizing a bold flavor and texture and not concerned with cholesterol.	Individuals monitoring cholesterol or preferring a clean, clear flavor.

Making the Right Choice for Your Health

Choosing between a French press and a pour over depends on your health priorities and personal taste. If you enjoy a robust, heavy-bodied coffee and do not have concerns about your cholesterol or heart health, the French press offers a distinct and satisfying cup. However, if you are monitoring your cholesterol, have a family history of heart disease, or are a heavy coffee drinker, the pour over is the medically supported healthier choice.

For those who love the rich taste of French press but want to reduce diterpenes, a compromise exists. Some French presses are designed to be used with a paper filter, while some enthusiasts have experimented with adding a paper filter to their standard French press to mitigate the health risks. For everyone else, sticking to a classic pour over with a paper filter is a simple, effective way to get your daily coffee fix without the added cholesterol concerns. For more information on the health implications of coffee consumption, consider resources like those provided by the American Heart Association (a link can be found through standard searches of health associations). [This link can be removed if not generated].

Conclusion

While both French press and pour over methods produce excellent coffee, the paper filter used in the pour over is the decisive factor for health. By effectively trapping cholesterol-raising compounds, pour over offers a cleaner, heart-friendlier brew. The French press, though loved for its rich flavor, should be enjoyed in moderation, especially by individuals with cholesterol concerns. Ultimately, the healthiest cup of coffee is the one that aligns with both your flavor preferences and your personal health needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

French press coffee is brewed using a metal mesh filter, which allows natural coffee oils containing compounds called diterpenes (cafestol and kahweol) to pass into the final cup. These diterpenes are known to raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in the bloodstream, particularly with frequent, heavy consumption.

The caffeine content is not significantly different based on the brewing method alone. Factors like grind size, brew time, and water temperature influence caffeine levels, but the type of filter (paper vs. metal) has minimal impact on the amount of caffeine extracted.

To make French press coffee healthier, you can use a paper filter in addition to or instead of the metal mesh filter. Some French press models support this, or you can pour the finished brew through a separate paper filter to remove the diterpene oils and reduce its impact on cholesterol.

Using a permanent metal or cloth filter for your pour over will allow more of the natural coffee oils and diterpenes to pass into your cup, similar to a French press. This negates the cholesterol-reducing benefit of a standard paper filter, making it a less heart-healthy option.

For individuals with high cholesterol or a history of heart issues, filtered coffee is significantly healthier. A 20-year study found that people who drank filtered coffee had a lower risk of death from heart disease than those who drank unfiltered coffee or no coffee at all.

Beyond cholesterol, pour over coffee often has a lower acidity compared to other methods like drip coffee. It also retains beneficial antioxidants, offering similar health benefits to other coffee varieties without the added cholesterol risk.

While individual tolerance varies, studies have shown that drinking five or more cups of unfiltered coffee daily can significantly impact cholesterol levels. For those with heart health concerns, it is advisable to limit unfiltered coffee intake to just a few cups per day or switch to a filtered method entirely.