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Decaffeinated coffee could increase risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

A study showed that decaffeinated coffee increased LDL ("bad") cholesterol. It may have done so by increasing levels of apolipoprotein B, which is associated with LDL cholesterol.

Measured for Many Factors

Almost 200 participants were divided into groups given either three to six cups of regular coffee each day, the same of decaf per day, or no coffee at all, for a period of three months. Then the levels of caffeine in their blood were measured, along with a number of other factors including blood pressure, heart rate, body mass index, triglycerides, HDL and LDL cholesterol, insulin, glucose, fat present in the blood stream, and apolipoprotein B.

Increase in LDL and Blood Fat

At the study's end, the decaf group showed an 8 percent rise in fatty acids, and an 8 to 10 percent rise in LDL levels. Bloodstream fat also increased in the decaf group, by an average of 18 percent.

Different Beans

The difference could be caused by a difference in the types of beans used rather than the decaffeination process. Because decaffeination can strip the coffee of flavor, a flavorful bean called Robusta is often used to make it; regular coffee is usually made from the mellower Arabica beans.

Coffee drinkers in the United States consume an average of 3.1 cups of coffee a day.

Yahoo News November 16, 2005Forbes.com November 16, 2005

Dr. Mercola's Comment:Earlier this month Iposted a blog item onhow soft drinks, but not coffee, elevate your blood pressure. But it seems coffee, or at least decaf, isn't trouble-free after all.

Interestingly, the lead researcher used the term dose as an important consideration about drinking coffee, particularly because his study patients drank as much as six cups a day. Although coffee is certainly a better alternative than fruit juices or soft drinks, it's not nearly as healthy for you as drinking pure water.

Drinking coffee may interfere with your body's ability to keep homocysteine and cholesterol levels in check, most likely by inhibiting the action of the vitamins folate, B12 or B6.

Coffee has also been previously associated with an increased risk of stroke and rheumatoid arthritis. And studies have shown that caffeine in coffee can raise blood pressure and levels of stress hormones, and if consumed in large quantities it can lead to heart palpitations, jitters and nervousness.

It is also imperative that you avoid any coffee if you are pregnant.

So if you have the coffee habit it is time to consider stopping. However, please avoid the mistake that most people make when deciding to eliminate coffee from their diet. Caffeine is a drug and if you go off cold turkey you will needlessly suffer.

I recommend weaning yourself off coffee (or regular soda for similar reasons) by cutting down the amount you drink gradually over a period of days or even weeks. It's important to drink plenty of water during the process in order to keep your body well hydrated.

While you're doing that, here are some tips to reduce the chance of harmful effects until you can completely eliminate it:

• Use organic coffee. Coffee is a heavily sprayed crop, so drinking organic coffee might reduce or eliminate your exposure to toxic herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. It will also help the people working in the coffee fields, as they will be exposed to fewer pesticides as well.
• Try "Swiss Water Process" decaf. If you are going to drink decaffeinated coffee, be sure that it uses a non-chemical based method of decaffeination. The "Swiss Water Process" is a patented method and is the best choice. Most of the major brands are chemically decaffeinated, even if it says "naturally decaffeinated" right on the container. If you are unsure of the methods, contact the manufacturer.
• Avoid sugar and milk. These are actually much worse for you than the coffee itself. Don't compound the detrimental health effects by adding milk or sugar to your coffee.
• Only use unbleached filters. If you use a "drip" coffee maker, be sure to use non-bleached filters. The bright white ones, which most people use, are chlorine bleached and some of this chlorine will be extracted from the filter during the brewing process.

About the author:

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