Coffee and lipid profile: from theory to everyday practice

Lipid disorders have been the most common cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases in Poland for years. The latest data indicate that about 20 million people in Poland have hypercholesterolemia. Nutritional habits have a very significant impact on the lipid profile. Therefore, taking into account the fact that coffee is an important component of the diet of Poles (on average, 1–2 cups of coffee are consumed in our country per inhabitant per day, and 66% of Poles declare regular consumption), its impact on the lipid profile cannot be overlooked. Coffee contains over 1000 chemical compounds, of which kahweol and cafestol are the most important in the context of lipidology. These are compounds that can have a hyperlipidemic effect. On the other hand, compounds such as caffeine, chlorogenic acid, trigonelline, and melanoidins are characterized by antioxidant activity, which can limit lipid peroxidation. The effect of consuming coffee prepared in different ways has been analyzed in numerous clinical studies. This article summarizes the current knowledge on the effects of coffee on the lipid profile and risk of atherosclerosis.