Studies have failed to show a connection between caffeine and cholesterol, except for unfiltered coffee which contains terpenes that negatively affect blood cholesterol levels. Caffeine can increase heart rate, alertness, and affect sleep patterns, but is usually not harmful in moderation.
Some people have theorized that the connection between caffeine and cholesterol might be harmful, and have wondered whether drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages might lead to an increase in a person’s cholesterol levels. So far, most studies have failed to demonstrate such a connection. That’s not to say, however, that there are absolutely no negative effects to drinking caffeinated beverages. For example, some people get headaches related to caffeine use or even develop an addiction to it.
Often, the focus of conversations exploring the relationship between caffeine and cholesterol is about coffee. This may be because a large number of people drink coffee every day. The fact is, however, that filtered coffee has not been found to raise a person’s cholesterol levels. Similarly, coffee consumption has not been linked to cholesterol-related heart disease. Additionally, studies have failed to show a connection between caffeine and cholesterol in people who drink a good deal of tea and soda.
Interestingly, some studies have shown a possible connection between high cholesterol levels and a person’s coffee consumption. This connection, however, doesn’t come from the caffeine in the coffee drink. Instead, only unfiltered coffee appears to have a negative effect on a person’s blood cholesterol levels. If so, the cause of the problem is the terpenes in unfiltered coffee. Terpenes are oils found not only in regular unfiltered coffee, but also in espresso.
While studies have shown that caffeine is unlikely to raise a person’s blood cholesterol levels, that doesn’t mean the substance will have no effect on the body. Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase heart rate and alertness. It can also affect a person’s sleep patterns by making it harder for them to fall or stay asleep. Some people may also experience headaches related to consuming large amounts of caffeine or when they don’t consume as much as they usually do.
Besides the fact that there appears to be no connection between caffeine and cholesterol, most scientists agree that caffeine is usually not harmful to the body. If a person is in good basic health, consuming caffeine in moderation usually won’t prove harmful. Consuming excessive amounts of caffeine can, however, cause health problems.
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