It’s often the little things that bring the greatest joy. A delicious meal shared with family, a beautiful sunrise or reaching the end a captivating book. For coffee drinkers, there is no sweeter moment in the day than taking that first sip of joe in the morning. In recent years, coffee connoisseurs have debated what brewing technique is better. Does pour-over, French press, espresso, pods or the good old drip method produce the finest cup of coffee? New research suggests that however you make your coffee, choosing a method that uses a filter can reduce chemicals that raise lipid levels and can contribute to cardiovascular disease.
According to a recent Everyday Health report, researchers from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health studied the coffee drinking habits of more than 500,000 adults between the ages of 20 and 79 over a period of 20 years. Those who drank filtered coffee were less likely to develop cardiovascular disease; unfiltered coffee was associated with a higher mortality rate. Coffee drinkers of filtered or unfiltered brew demonstrated a lower risk for diabetes, a contributing factor in coronary heart disease.
Brewing method aside, many people still wonder how much coffee is healthy. Moderation is key. Research suggests that between 1 and 4 cups of filtered coffee may have health benefits. People with anxiety, acid reflux, insomnia, hypertension or arrhythmia should talk with their health care provider to discuss how much if any, coffee is healthy for them.
In addition to drinking moderate amounts of filtered coffee, keeping cholesterol levels under control with a healthy Mediterranean diet, watching sugar and alcohol consumption, getting regular physical activity and taking medication as prescribed can help reduce the risk for coronary heart disease and heart attack.
Learn more about the potential health benefits of drinking coffee in this recent Harvard Health Letter.
Add Your Voice
0 Comments
Join the Discussion