Mechanisms
In a 24-week RCT, French-press coffee raises CETP activity up to 18% within two weeks, preceding the later rise in LDL cholesterol (J Intern Med 2000)
Original title: Consumption of French-press coffee raises cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity levels before LDL cholesterol in normolipidaemic subjects
The authors examined the long-term effects of unfiltered coffee on cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity, and whether CETP contributes to coffee-induced LDL cholesterol rises. Forty-six healthy normolipidaemic subjects drank 0.9 L daily of French-press or filtered coffee for 24 weeks, with blood sampled at 0, 2, 12 and 24 weeks and after 12 weeks of follow-up. Relative to baseline, French-press coffee significantly raised average CETP activity by 12% after 2 weeks, 18% after 12 weeks, and 9% after 24 weeks; PLTP activity rose 10% after 12 and 24 weeks, while LCAT activity fell 6% after 12 weeks and 7% after 24 weeks. The CETP rise clearly preceded the rise in LDL cholesterol, though not the rise in triglycerides, and remained persistently elevated while the triglyceride rise was transient. Cafestol and kahweol in coffee thus cause a long-term rise in CETP and PLTP activity, which may contribute to the LDL cholesterol rise.
Original abstract
Objectives: To determine the long-term effects of unfiltered coffee consumption on the activity levels of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and to assess a possible role of CETP activity levels in the rise in serum LDL cholesterol.
Subjects And Design: Forty-six healthy normolipidaemic subjects consumed 0.9 L of either French-press or filtered coffee for 24 weeks. Fasting blood samples were obtained after 0, 2, 12 and 24 weeks of intervention and after and 12 weeks of follow-up.
Main Outcome Measures: Serum activity levels of CETP, PLTP and LCAT.
Results: Relative to baseline, French-press coffee significantly increased average CETP activity by 12% after 2 weeks, by 18% after 12 weeks, and by 9% after 24 weeks. PLTP activity was significantly increased by 10% after 12 and 24 weeks. LCAT activity was significantly decreased by 6% after 12 weeks and by 7% after 24 weeks. The increase in CETP clearly preceded the increase in LDL cholesterol, but not the increase in total triglycerides. However, consumption of French-press coffee caused a persistent rise in CETP activity, whereas the rise in serum triglycerides was transient.
Conclusions: Consumption of cafestol and kahweol cause a long-term increase in CETP as well as PLTP activity; the increase in CETP activity may contribute to the rise in LDL cholesterol.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.