When I first started drinking coffee, I had no idea how it was made. I just knew that I loved the taste and the way it made me feel. So when my friends introduced me to French press coffee, I was all for it. Little did I know that this type of coffee could actually be bad for my health! So I decided to finally answer the question. Is french press coffee bad for you? What are the possible downsides to french press coffee? Here is my conclusion to the question. Is french press coffee bad for you?
Table of Contents
What is French press coffee?
A french-press is a type of coffee machine that brews coffee and doubles as a pitcher for pouring. It was invented in 1929 by Italian inventor, Atillio Calimani.
If you use a disposable paper coffee filter, the oils in your coffee grounds will end up being in your cup of coffee.
Some people say that french pressed coffees, which are made with no filters, are superior to regular filtered ones.
Coffee aficionados will definitely want to check out these common (but false) beliefs about it!
Is French Press Coffee Bad For You?
It can potentially increase your LDL levels, which is bad for your heart.
Data from the American Journal of Epidemiology demonstrates that drinking unfiltered coffee can lead to increased levels of both total and LDL cholesterol.
A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that drinking coffee without filtering increases both total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
The study found that unfiltered coffee increased cholesterol levels by around 8% while filtered coffee increased them by only around 2%.
As it turns out, coffee grounds contain a lot of oil.
Coffee oils, such as cafestol, are known to raise cholesterol levels. However, too much of these lipoproteins can clog your arteries.
A French press coffee might not be the best choice if you’re trying to avoid excessive amounts of lipoproteins.
High levels of LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream can lead to an increased risk of a heart attack.
As a French press enthusiast, it is best to keep an eye on your cholesterol levels over time to see if your LDL rise!
For French press coffee aficionados, the best thing to do is monitor your cholesterol levels over time to see if your LDL raises!
Even though they know that there are better ways to brew their morning coffee, many Java fans refuse to give up on their french presses.
Nothing beats the simplicity or pure taste of a freshly-brewed cup of coffee. However, that shouldn’t mean you should sacrifice your well-being.
My recommendation is that you do regular blood tests.
To keep track of your cholesterol levels, you should have them checked regularly.
This way you can be certain that your love of unfiltered coffee does not negatively impact your health.
Does French Press Coffee Have an Effect on Cholesterol Levels?
Cafestol, a diterpene found in coffee, can raise VLDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
As studies have shown, diterpenoids found in high concentrations in unfiltered coffees (cafestrol) can elevate triglyceride levels. This is something to consider by anyone who enjoys drinking coffee and who also suffers from high triglycerides.
This warning should serve as a wake-up call to anyone who has high cholesterol levels but loves to sip on coffee.
There’s a condition known as familial hypercholesterolemia. This is a genetically-inherited condition related to having excessive amounts of LDL (bad) cholesterol in your system. So lowering your cholesterol through diet alone might not be easy if high cholesterol runs in your family!
If you have familial hypercholesterolemia, it means that your family has a history of high cholesterol. This can make it difficult to lower your cholesterol through diet alone.
High cholesterol is often genetic, which means that diet alone might not be enough to lower your cholesterol levels. If you have high cholesterol, speak to your doctor about ways to lower it.
But, most of the blood’s cholesterol levels are produced by the liver.
The human body produces 80% of all of the bad (LDL) and 20% of the good (HDL) cholesterol levels. This is why it’s so important to have a healthy liver and body.
Your liver’s ability to regulate cholesterol is largely determined by genetics.
Your diet does play a role in cholesterol regulation, but it is not the only factor. Other factors such as genetics also play a role.
So, how bad is it to drink French press coffee?
It’s not bad to drink French press coffee every once in a while. The diterpenes present in the coffee are actually beneficial to your health!
While the French Press method is great for getting the most out of a cup of coffee, rotating between dark and light roasts is the best way to get the most flavor out of your daily cup.
Less caffeinated coffee is darker than lighter (blonde) types.
If you’re looking to boost your health, Vicki Shanta Retelny suggests adding some spice to your french press. Turmeric, cinnamon, and cocoa are all great options, as they can boost the antioxidants or anti-inflammatory properties of your morning brew.
When you add healthy spices to your French press coffee, it can help offset some of the negative effects of the diterpenes. This way, you can still enjoy your favorite cup of joe without as many health concerns.
You might be surprised to know that there are actually many common household items that are packed with high levels of caffeine content such as your favorite energy drinks.
The main downside to French press coffee is that it has been linked to slightly higher cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease.
If you’re concerned about your cholesterol levels, it’s best to stick to paper-filtered coffee most of the time. However, if you enjoy the taste and smell of French press coffee, it’s okay to have it occasionally.
Do you want to stay healthy? Check out the benefits of drinking turmeric coffee.
How to Filter French Press Coffee?
If you want an extra layer of filtration, purchase a disposable paper filter.
Although most paper filters are too large, you might find one that is the right size.
Cut your paper filters to size, and slide them onto your french presses’ metal screen.
If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll know that the steel mesh filter on your French press doesn’t do a whole lot to actually filter the coffee. This is intentional, as drinking unfiltered coffee is the whole point of this brewing method!
This “brewing” method is a lot like drinking an “unfiltered” cup of coffee.
Is French Press Coffee Bad For You – Conclusion
So, is French press coffee bad for you? The answer is maybe. While there are some potential health risks associated with drinking this type of coffee, it ultimately comes down to how much you consume and your own personal tolerance level. If you’re concerned about the possible risks, then we recommend limiting your caffeine intake or switching to another type of coffee altogether.