TRUE OR FALSE: Coffee can raise cholesterol

TRUE. Coffee beans contain a potent cholesterol-raising compound called cafestol. If you drink instant coffee or coffee that's passed through a paper filter, your brew will contain only a negligible amount of cafestol.

But traditional Turkish, Greek, Scandinavian coffee and coffee that's prepared via the French press method can contain high levels of cafestol. Studies have shown that drinking lots of these kinds of coffee can raise cholesterol levels and the risk of heart attack. In contrast, a large body of research suggests that regular consumption of filtered coffee does not increase risk for heart disease or stroke.

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