Although French press coffee tastes good, it’s unhealthy for several reasons. Harvard health blog, in 2016, came up with an article that first told about the harmful effects of French press coffee involving cafestol and kahweol.
In this article, we will look more at how and why french press coffee is unhealthy, and what are some better alternatives, such as drip coffee.
What are Cafestol and Kahweol in French Press Coffee?
Cafestol and kahweol are two primary components in coffee that decrease neutral sterols and bile acids by hijacking receptors in an intestinal pathway to its regulation. The Cafestol compounds are considered to be directly linked to high cholesterol levels.
These compounds are most commonly found in unfiltered coffee, such as French press coffee. Unfiltered French press coffee not only increases the risk of cholesterol increases but may also cause an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and premature death.
According to a study, when the concentration of Cafestol was measured in paper-filtered drip coffee and French press coffee near about 300 times, it was found that metal filter paper did not remove much Cafestol from the coffee as compared to boiled coffee.
Cafestol and kahweol have an indirect impact on your body system. These compounds are also responsible for increasing triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels in your body, making you obese and more susceptible to deadly health conditions.
What is French Press Coffee?
One of the most famous methods of preparing unfiltered coffee is French Press Coffee. It is also renowned for its other names such as coffee plunger, press pot, or coffee press. Although French press coffee is a device for brewing coffee, it can be used for other tasks.
It is a manual coffee-making device. Coffee made with a French press is proven to increase long-term memory recall, information processing, and attention.
Rich in antioxidants, French press coffee is a good solution for energy and concentration. The coffee is not only rich, powerful, and delicious, but it is also cost-effective.
However, recent studies have come up with specific unhealthy effects of French press coffee.
Is it Wrong to Drink French Press Coffee Every Day?
Drinking 4 to 5 of french press coffee every day is terrible for your health because the Harvard school of public health research by Eric Rimm – an epidemiology professor – reveals that it may raise your bad LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol.
Suppose your coffee has not been appropriately filtered or is made without using any filter. In that case, this may lead to increased body cholesterol levels, affecting your heart and leading to heart diseases.
The effects of consuming Cafestol and kahweol push your body to such a level that it increases LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. The increased level of cholesterol and triglycerides leads to heart attacks and stroke.
Five cups of french press coffee per day increases the LDL cholesterol level up to 7 mg/dL and triglycerides levels to 11mg/dL. These are not big numbers because the optimal LDL cholesterol range is 100 to 129 mg/dL. But five cups daily is quickly enough to push your LDL levels from good to borderline, borderline to high, and from it to undesirable levels.
Does French Press Coffee Raise Cholesterol?
French press coffee increases the LDL cholesterol levels in your body, not only LDL cholesterol but also triglycerides which may lead to cardiac diseases. According to Heidi Godman, unfiltered coffee has some oily substances found in the coffee beans (diterpenes). These oily diterpenes are also present in your cup in their active form.
Activated diterpenes help to raise the cholesterol levels in your coffee. Of course, more than 2 cups a day have negative potential for your health.
According to Dr. Eric Rimm, more than five cups of unfiltered french press coffee a day increases your LDL cholesterol level. He recommends that a person taking more french press coffee check their cholesterol levels and limit them to no more than five cups a day.
Many types of research show that drinking 5 cups of coffee daily over four weeks or one month can increase the cholesterol level by 6 to 8 percent. It is also seen that the people who are taking coffee over a long period have more significant risks of getting cholesterol.
Suppose you have a high cholesterol level in your family history. In that case, you must reduce the consumption of coffee to a safe limit, or alternating with safer options will be a great idea. If you have high cholesterol and some heart disease, cutting out french press coffee might be a good idea.
What is the Healthiest Way to Brew Coffee?
A study published online on 22 April 2020 by the European journal of preventive cardiology showed that filtering coffee using filter paper is better for health, especially for older people.
Some experts also recommend the pour-over method, a kind of vessel on which some type of filter paper is placed for filtration. It is an unbleached filter that avoids extra chemical exposure.
By using this method, you can eliminate maximum but not all diterpenes. Researches show that using cone and vessel brewing methods of coffee preparation lowers the risk of high cholesterol and, ultimately, heart diseases.
Thirty years ago, professor Thelle discovered that the person who drinks the french press coffee has high blood cholesterol levels and a high risk of developing heart diseases in comparison to the person who uses the filter methods for his coffee which is less likely to develop heart disease due to less cholesterol level.
So the experiment reveals that using brewing methods with good filtering techniques can reduce the risks of high cholesterol levels and cardiac diseases in the body.
Is Drip Coffee Healthier than French Press Coffee?
Drinking drip coffee is better than stovetop and french press coffee for your heart. Although drip coffee is a vintage-style coffee brewer and may look a little clunky, they are safer and healthier than an unfiltered french press.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.
