For many people, coffee is a daily ritual − a staple in your morning routine that kickstarts the day. But, if you're keeping an eye on your cholesterol, you may want to also take an extra look your morning cup of joe.
Nutrition experts say coffee can impact cholesterol both in how it's brewed (what method you're using to make the coffee) and how it's prepared (what you're adding to your coffee).
Coffee contains oily compounds called diterpenes that can interfere with the body’s cholesterol-regulating processes and raise LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, when consumed regularly, according to Candance Pumper, a registered dietitian at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
"Unfiltered coffee contains far more of these compounds than paper-filtered coffee, making your brewing method an important factor for cholesterol," she added.
When it comes to brewing method, paper-filtered coffee like drip or pour over may be the best choice for heart health, Pumper explained, while unfiltered methods like Scandinavian boiled and Turkish coffee contain the highest levels of these compounds.
