[Relationship between coffee and blood cholesterol in a sample of working women].

BACKGROUND

Experimental studies have demonstrated that unfiltered coffee increases cholesterolemia. In Spain, filtered coffee is mainly consumed and its effect on cholesterolemia is controversial.

METHODS

The relationship between coffee intake and the serum levels of total cholesterol was transversally studied in a population of 609 women between 18 to 65 years in age. The questionnaire and analyses were carried out in the context of periodic health examination.

RESULTS

The consumption of coffee was positively associated with cholesterolemia in subjects under 30 years of age (p < 0.01) and in the group from 30 to 45 years in age (p < 0.05). This association was found to be statistically significant on multivariant analysis (multiple lineal regression) after adjusting for age, body mass index, cholesterol consumed in the diet, smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Coffee was found to increase cholesterolemia in the female population and therefore a reduction in coffee intake would be recommendable in hypercholesterolemic subjects.