The effect of filtered-coffee consumption on plasma lipid levels. Results of a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE.--To determine the effect of filtered-coffee consumption on plasma lipoprotein cholesterol levels in healthy men. DESIGN.--Randomized controlled trial with an 8-week washout period followed by an 8-week intervention period during which men were randomly assigned to drink 720 mL/d of caffeinated coffee, 360 mL/d of caffeinated coffee, 720 mL/d of decaffeinated coffee, or no coffee. SETTING.--Outpatient clinical research center in a university medical center. PARTICIPANTS.--One hundred healthy male volunteers. OUTCOME MEASURE.--Changes in plasma lipoprotein cholesterol levels during the intervention period. RESULTS.--Men who consumed 720 mL of caffeinated coffee daily had mean increases in plasma levels of total cholesterol (0.24 mmol/L, P = .001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (0.17 mmol/L, P = .04), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (0.08 mmol/L, P = .03). No significant changes in these plasma lipoprotein levels occurred in the other groups. Compared with the group who drank no coffee the group who drank 720 mL/d of caffeinated coffee had increases in plasma levels of total cholesterol (0.25 mmol/L, P = .02), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (0.15 mmol/L, P = .17), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (0.09 mmol/L, P = .12) after adjustment for changes in diet. CONCLUSION.--Consumption of 720 mL/d of filtered, caffeinated coffee leads to a statistically significant increase in the plasma level of total cholesterol, which appears to be due to increases of both low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.