A new study from Sweden suggests that coffee made in many workplace coffee machines may contain substances that raise cholesterol levels. The research was led by scientists at Uppsala University in collaboration with Chalmers University of Technology and was published in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases.
The researchers focused on substances in coffee called diterpenes, mainly cafestol and kahweol, which are known to increase LDL cholesterol (often called “bad” cholesterol). These substances are naturally found in coffee oils, but whether they end up in your cup depends on how the coffee is brewed.
Previous research already showed that boiled coffee, like that made in a pot on the stove, contains high levels of these cholesterol-raising compounds. In contrast, coffee brewed in drip-filter machines using paper filters contains almost none, because the paper traps the oily substances.
However, it was still unclear how much of these compounds end up in coffee made by machines commonly used in offices and other public places. To find out, the Swedish research team studied 14 coffee machines located in break rooms at various workplaces.
The machines mostly used pre-ground coffee from five well-known brands. Some machines ground the beans inside, but researchers believe this did not affect the levels of the cholesterol-raising substances.
Over several weeks, the team collected samples from each machine on multiple occasions and analyzed them at Chalmers University. They found that the levels of cafestol and kahweol varied widely—both between different machines and even from the same machine at different times.
In general, the most common type of machine—called a brewing machine—produced the highest levels of diterpenes. These are the machines that drip water through a coffee basket without using paper filters. Some machines, known as liquid-model machines, which mix a coffee concentrate with water, had much lower levels of these substances.
To compare, the researchers also analyzed coffee from other brewing methods, including percolators, espresso machines, French presses, and boiled coffee. Boiled coffee had the highest levels of cholesterol-raising compounds per cup. Some espresso samples also had high levels, though the results varied a lot. French press coffee also showed elevated levels.
Dr. David Iggman, who led the study, explained, “Most of the coffee samples we tested had enough diterpenes to potentially increase LDL cholesterol levels in people who drink this coffee regularly.” He added, “If someone drinks a lot of coffee every day, it’s better for their health to choose drip-filter coffee or another method that filters the coffee well.”
The findings matter because coffee is a major part of daily life, especially in countries like Sweden where people often drink several cups a day—frequently at work. The way the coffee is brewed can make a real difference to long-term heart health, particularly for those who already have high cholesterol or other heart disease risk factors.
Dr. Iggman also said that while this study measured the amount of harmful compounds in the coffee, future research could look at how much these actually affect cholesterol levels in real people. A controlled study where participants drink specific types of coffee and have their blood tested would help confirm the effects.
Summary and Analysis
This study is important because it highlights a hidden health risk in something many people consume daily without thinking—coffee at work. Although most people know that sugar and creamers can affect their health, fewer are aware that the brewing method itself can make a difference.
The researchers carefully tested 14 workplace machines and found that many did not remove the cholesterol-raising compounds in coffee. The fact that even the same machine could produce coffee with different levels of diterpenes over time suggests that maintenance and how the machines are used may also matter.
For health-conscious coffee drinkers, the takeaway is simple: paper-filtered coffee is the safest choice when it comes to cholesterol. If you drink multiple cups a day, switching to drip-filter coffee—or even bringing your own from home—could help protect your heart over the long term.
Although the study doesn’t offer medical advice, it gives valuable insight into how small changes in daily habits can lead to better health. It also encourages workplaces to reconsider the type of coffee machines they use and whether they might unknowingly be putting employees at greater risk for heart disease.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about top foods to love for a stronger heart, and why oranges may help fight obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
For more health information, please see recent studies about simple guide to a 7-day diabetes meal plan, and why you should add black beans to your plate.
The research findings can be found in Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases.
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