Coffee with unfiltered components may aid in fat burning, an unforeseen effect revealed.
Cafestol, a natural diterpene found in coffee, has been making waves in the scientific community due to its potential impact on fat metabolism and weight management. While it is known for its stimulating effect in coffee, its influence extends beyond this well-known property.
Health Benefits and Weight Loss
Recent studies have shown that cafestol supplementation, at around 12 mg/day, can lead to significant reductions in visceral fat, body weight, and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels over a period of 12 weeks. This translates to a 5% reduction in visceral fat, equivalent to approximately 440 mL of lost internal fat [2]. Losing visceral fat is crucial as this type of fat releases free fatty acids that drive insulin resistance and inflammation, key factors in metabolic syndrome and related diseases [2].
These findings suggest that cafestol could be a promising nutrition-based tool against metabolic syndrome and obesity, particularly for prediabetic and diabetic individuals where metabolic dysfunction is more pronounced [2]. These benefits complement previous evidence on other coffee compounds like chlorogenic acids that modestly lower body mass index (BMI) in overweight adults [2].
Potential Risks and Cardiovascular Health
However, cafestol is also known to raise LDL cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, which can increase cardiovascular disease risk. This is thought to occur because cafestol suppresses bile acid export in the liver, disrupting cholesterol metabolism [2][3].
The cholesterol-raising effect is more pronounced with unfiltered coffee, such as boiled coffee or coffee brewed with metal filters (common in workplace coffee machines). These methods allow more cafestol into the cup compared to paper-filtered coffee where cafestol is largely removed [3][4].
While some trials indicated a threshold for safe cafestol intake, with low doses showing fat loss benefits without appreciable increases in LDL cholesterol, individuals with existing heart disease risk are advised to wait for further safety data before using cafestol supplements [2]. Drinking large amounts of unfiltered coffee regularly could negate some cardiovascular benefits of coffee consumption [1][3][4].
Recommendations and Future Research
In conclusion, cafestol shows promise in reducing visceral fat and body weight, which may improve metabolic health, but its associated risk of increasing LDL cholesterol—especially when consumed via unfiltered coffee—warrants caution, particularly for those with cardiovascular risk factors [2][3][4]. Choosing filtered coffee or limiting cafestol intake may optimize benefits while minimizing risks.
Scientists are currently investigating whether cafestol can activate the mitochondria of fat cells and initiate fat breakdown processes. It is essential to consult a doctor before prolonged use of any cafestol-based supplements. The safe dosage, duration of use, and interaction with other substances for cafestol are still under investigation. A higher dose or longer course of cafestol consumption may lead to more pronounced results in weight loss and metabolic support.
Interest in cafestol is growing within the scientific community, and further research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits and risks. As always, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet or supplement regimen.
[1] Reference 1 [2] Reference 2 [3] Reference 3 [4] Reference 4
- These recent scientific findings suggest that cafestol, a natural compound found in coffee, could potentially aid in weight management and health-and-wellness, as it has been shown to reduce visceral fat, body weight, and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels [2].
- Given that cafestol has demonstrated potential benefits for weight management and metabolic health, it could potentially be a valuable tool in therapies-and-treatments for individuals battling metabolic syndrome and obesity [2]. However, it is crucial to note that cafestol supplementation may also increase LDL cholesterol levels, which could potentially increase the risk of cardiovascular disease [2][3].
- To optimize the benefits of cafestol while minimizing potential risks, it is recommended to choose filtered coffee or limit cafestol intake [2][3][4]. Moreover, future research should focus on investigating cafestol's ability to activate the mitochondria of fat cells and initiate fat breakdown processes in order to fully understand its potential impact on nutrition and weight-management strategies [1].
