Several studies have now shown that drinking too much coffee can cause a rise in LDL cholesterol levels, particularly in people who have a predisposition to high blood-cholesterol. If you drink six cups or more a day of unfiltered coffee, it’s likely to significantly increase your cholesterol levels. However, if your java-jolt is drip-filtered you can keep sipping; the studies showed that filtered coffee causes only a tiny increase in LDL compared with espresso or percolated coffee.

Allan Borushek suggests drinking tea instead. “Tea contains antioxidants that may protect the oxidization of cholesterol in the blood” he explains.

 

The best way to make sure you steer clear of foods high in saturated fat and dietary cholesterol is to read food labels, or source information from the CalorieKing.com food database on the calorie, fat, fiber and carbohydrate content of foods you eat. Make label reading such a habit that you always check before you eat; that way, not a milligram of cholesterol or saturated fat will escape your attention! To learn more about how to read food labels, click on the link How to Use the Nutrition Facts Label at the end of this article.