Office coffee machine linked to higher levels of cholesterol, study finds. The solution

The study was led by Uppsala University in collaboration with Chalmers University of Technology.

The office coffee machine, a daily fixture for many corporate employees, may have an unexpected health impact. A new study has revealed that coffee from workplace machines contains elevated levels of cholesterol-boosting compounds, similar to boiled coffee. However, researchers suggest that switching to paper filter coffee makers could offer a simple solution.

The study, led by Uppsala University in collaboration with Chalmers University of Technology, was published in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases.

"Considering how much coffee is consumed in Swedish workplaces, we wanted to examine the presence of cholesterol-elevating substances in coffee from these machines," said David Iggman, a researcher at Uppsala University and lead author of the study.

Researchers analysed coffee samples from 14 different workplace coffee machines, using five common brands of ground coffee. They found that the levels of cholesterol-elevating substances were significantly higher in coffee from these machines compared to regular drip-filter coffee makers.

"The filtering process is crucial in reducing these substances in coffee. Not all coffee machines effectively filter them out, and the problem varies between different types of machines. We also observed significant variations in concentrations over time," Iggman explained.

It is already well-established that boiled coffee, such as coffee prepared in a pot, contains high levels of diterpenes—cafestol and kahweol—which are known to raise LDL (bad) cholesterol. The latest Nordic nutritional guidelines advise reducing or avoiding boiled coffee for this reason. In contrast, regular drip-filter coffee makers, which use paper filters, remove most of these compounds.

Until now, there had been little research on how effectively conventional coffee machines, commonly found in offices and public spaces, filter out these cholesterol-raising substances.

The study found significant differences between the coffee machines in terms of cafestol and kahweol content. Additionally, the levels of these compounds varied at different times, even within the same machine.

"Most of the coffee samples contained levels that could potentially impact LDL cholesterol and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in regular consumers," Iggman noted.

For individuals who drink large amounts of coffee daily, researchers recommended opting for well-filtered coffee, such as that made using paper filters.

"To determine the exact effects on LDL cholesterol, a controlled study involving participants consuming different types of coffee would be necessary," Iggman added.