Effect of coffee on cholesterol and apolipoproteins, corroborated by caffeine levels.

The possibility that coffee may increase cholesterol levels has created uncertainty among physicians. The confusion arose from cross-sectional studies, in which female coffee drinkers appeared to show a positive association more frequently than men. To clarify this relationship, we designed an intervention trial to reduce caffeine and coffee intake sequentially while measuring total cholesterol and the apolipoprotein A-I and B levels. We conducted the study among women who were coffee drinkers (n = 35) or not coffee drinkers (n = 28). The trial spanned seven months with caffeine-free and coffee-free intervals. Serum caffeine levels corroborated compliance with the dietary protocol. Analysis of the apolipoprotein levels confirms the absence of any influence of coffee on lipoproteins in normocholesterolemic persons. We observed no apparent causal association of coffee or caffeine consumption and cholesterol and apolipoproteins.