High levels of cholesterol and plasma homocysteine are associated with a type of heart disease known as "ischemic heart disease," in which the heart doesn't get enough oxygen to function properly. Recent studies have shown that drinking large quantities of unfiltered coffee increases both of those substances.

Norwegian researchers analyzed blood samples and coffee-drinking habits of nearly 200 healthy volunteers. They were assigned to one of three groups: (1) no coffee; (2) 1 to 3 cups of coffee daily; and (3) 4 or more cups of coffee daily. Nearly all of the participants reported being regular consumers of caffeinated filtered coffee.

In those subjects who had been drinking an average of four cups a day but abstained from coffee for the six-week study period, the researchers found decreased concentrations of both total cholesterol and homocysteine. They thus concluded that there is a link between filtered coffee and these substances.

Thus it appears that both filtered coffee (such as that obtained from drip coffeemakers) and unfiltered coffee (the percolated variety) are associated with increased levels of substances associated with heart disease.

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