Cafestol

Cafestol is a diterpene molecule present in coffee.

A typical bean of Coffea arabica contains about 0.6% cafestol by weight. Cafestol is present in highest quantity in unfiltered coffee drinks such as French press coffee or Turkish coffee. In filtered coffee drinks such as drip brewed coffee, it is present in only negligible amounts.

Studies have shown that regular consumption of boiled coffee increases serum cholesterol by 8% in men and 10% in women. For those drinking filter coffee, the effect was only significant for women.

Cafestol has also shown anticarcinogenic properties in rats.

According to a 2005 study by the Baylor College of Medicine, cafestol may act as an agonist ligand for the genes FXR and PXR, blocking cholesterol homeostasis.