Switch your brewing method for healthier coffee

Drinking unfiltered coffee, even black, without added sugar or milk, is not as healthy as it might seem. But good news you don't need to give up your favorite brew. Just change – slightly – the way you brew your coffee.

Unfiltered coffee is made by pouring boiling water over ground beans in a glass and drinking it with the grounds settling at the bottom. This method is not the only way to brew coffee, but it is one of the commonly used methods. So, what's wrong with it?

Regular consumption of unfiltered brewed coffee, including the grounds, increases total cholesterol, "bad" cholesterol, and triglycerides. It's worth noting that coffee contains no cholesterol, but it can influence its production in the body. Additionally, additives such as cream, sugar, or full-fat milk can contribute to coffee's negative impact on health.

Scientists from Baylor College of Medicine believe that diterpenes and coffee oils, like cafestol and kahweol, are responsible for this. Cafestol is even considered one of the most vital substances that raise “bad” cholesterol (LDL) levels in the body. Unfiltered coffee contains up to 30 times more cholesterol-raising substances than filtered coffee. This is due to the prolonged contact of the grounds with boiling water, which results in a higher concentration of coffee oils.

Unfiltered coffee isn't limited. Many other popular brewing methods also promote an increase in total cholesterol and LDL levels in the blood. These methods include:

        
• brewing with an espresso machine,
• brewing in a Turkish cezve,
• brewing in a French press,
• brewing in a moka pot,
• brewing in a capsule machine.

So, what is the healthiest way to brew coffee? The best options are drip coffee makers or a special filter; this way, the contact between hot water and grounds can be minimized. A report based on research from Baylor College of Medicine notes that paper filters remove coffee oils containing cafestol. It's also essential to use water at a temperature between 190°F and 201°F for brewing. Wait a moment after the water boils before brewing it.