Coffee is a favorite drink in all corners of the globe. Since ancient times, people have been consuming the aromatic drink, and ever since then there have been fierce debates about its benefits or harm.
Scientists currently do not see any negative effects provided that a healthy person drinks several cups of freshly prepared natural coffee a day, but what about those who have diseases of the cardiovascular system?
In this article, the reader will find answers to questions about how coffee and cholesterol are related, and whether people suffering from atherosclerosis can drink it.
Natural coffe
What does cholesterol look like?
Many people think of cholesterol as fat and believe that the fattier the food, the more cholesterol it contains. This point of view is only partly justified. Cholesterol is found in the blood and looks like a viscous substance. Cholesterol cannot be considered exclusively harmful, because it is consumed by the body in the process of producing hormones and forming cell membranes. To varying degrees, cholesterol is involved in the functioning of the immune, nervous and digestive systems, so a certain amount of cholesterol must be contained in the body at all times. Another thing is that keeping it within acceptable limits is not always easy.
Excess cholesterol
tends to deposit on the inner walls of arteries.
At first, this is an imperceptible process, but gradually, due to the cholesterol layer, the diameter of the artery narrows, and blood begins to pass through it worse. In places where the vessel narrows, a dense formation is formed from the cholesterol layer, which is commonly called a “ cholesterol plaque
.”
Cholesterol plaques not only almost completely block the flow of blood through the vessel, but also reduce its elasticity. The process of cholesterol formation is called “ atherosclerosis
”.
By themselves, single cholesterol plaques do not pose a serious health hazard, but if you do not take action, over time there will be too many of them. In addition, cholesterol plaque
- This is the initial stage of
thrombus
. Often blood clots form where atherosclerotic plaques were located. The danger of a blood clot is that it completely seals the vessels and can block the flow of blood to vital organs. If a blood clot occurs in a vessel supplying the heart, a person may have a myocardial infarction, and if blood flow stops in a vessel supplying the brain, the person may suffer a stroke.
Does high cholesterol cause death?
Cholesterol itself is not considered deadly. Complications caused by high cholesterol levels can lead to death. We have already named some of them. Atherosclerosis can trigger the development of coronary heart disease, and one of the complications can be myocardial infarction, stroke, acute thrombosis and other diseases. The list can be large and is determined by which arteries were affected.
Composition of the drink
To figure out whether you can drink coffee if you have high cholesterol, you need to know about the composition of the drink. This topic has long been a source of controversy among experts - some of them claim that coffee beans contain substances that are dangerous to the condition of blood vessels, others claim that the drink can only have a beneficial effect on the body.
The content of substances in coffee is as follows:
- soluble carbohydrates - 1/2 of them are sucrose;
- more than 30 types of organic acids - the most useful of them is chlorogenic acid. It is involved in the synthesis of protein molecules, improves gas exchange, having a beneficial effect on the condition of the body. In addition to chlorogenic acid, coffee contains citric, malic, acetic and oxalic acids;
- caffeine - everyone has heard about the content of this component in coffee. It is caffeine that is the culprit of debate about how the drink affects the body, whether it harms or benefits. The compound belongs to the class of organic alkaloids that cause increased tone, vigor (and if the drink is abused, nervous excitement and addiction);
- nicotinic acid - 100 g. Coffee beans contain 1/5 of the daily requirement of vitamin PP, which is necessary to strengthen blood vessels and maintain adequate blood supply to tissues;
- important microelements are iron, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium. There is no need to list the useful properties of these elements; everyone knows about them. Potassium contained in coffee maintains the elasticity and tone of capillaries, making them less brittle. Paradoxically, despite the existing harm of caffeine, the drink still brings benefits.
Why is the drink consumed and loved by many so fragrant? The exquisite smell of coffee is given by the essential oils it contains, which have many beneficial properties. Many of the oils fight inflammation, reduce pain and eliminate spasms. The aroma of coffee depends on the method of roasting the beans and the temperature maintained during this process.
Is there cholesterol in coffee itself? It is worth noting that the grains do not contain this organic compound, and the drink itself does not belong to the category of high-calorie drinks. But it is not only the intake of cholesterol from the outside that affects the amount of this substance in the blood.
Is all cholesterol the same?
Cholesterol is found in the blood, but does not dissolve in it. Cholesterol is carried throughout the body by lipoproteins. High density lipoprotein (HDL) molecules
move cholesterol from the arteries to the liver. Later, this cholesterol is excreted from the body and is not deposited on the walls of blood vessels. Such cholesterol is considered “good” because it not only does not increase, but reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Another type of cholesterol carried by low-density lipoprotein (LDL) molecules
from the liver throughout the body. In peripheral tissues, cholesterol gradually settles on the walls of blood vessels, resulting in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. It is important for a person to monitor and prevent an increase in the level of low-density lipoproteins, or “bad” cholesterol.
Another form of lipids that provide the body with energy, but in large quantities can be harmful, are triglycerides. They are synthesized by the liver or enter the body with food, and then pass into the blood. A high content of triglycerides in the blood is also undesirable, since it can disrupt the functioning of the circulatory system.
Mediterranean diet and its effectiveness
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In addition to the classic diet, which helps reduce the amount of low-density lipoproteins in the blood, there is another version of therapeutic nutrition - Mediterranean. It is also effective in lowering cholesterol, but has its own differences.
Basic principles
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The daily menu is compiled taking into account the following recommendations:
- for breakfast - cereals: muesli, water porridge, bran;
- for lunch - pasta, fish or meat dishes;
- for dinner - protein foods supplemented with vegetables or fruits.
The method of preparing dishes is baking in the oven in foil, boiling, cooking in a double boiler or multicooker. If you have high cholesterol, fried foods and any types of fast food are strictly prohibited.
Products for the daily menu:
- dried fruits (except raisins);
- vegetables;
- fruits;
- low-fat fermented milk products;
- nuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds (without salt and oil);
- from oils - only olive;
- whole wheat bread;
- cereals – brown rice, bulgur, millet, barley;
- Alcohol is allowed - only red wine, no more than 150 ml per day at dinner.
Products are introduced into the menu 3-5 times a week:
- red sea fish (trout, salmon);
- skinless chicken breast;
- potato;
- eggs (white);
- sweets - honey, kozinaki.
Red meat (lean beef or veal) is introduced into the diet 4 times a month.
What increases cholesterol?
Increased cholesterol levels can be due to various factors. The first thing you should pay attention to is your diet
.
If a person has a slight increase in cholesterol levels, doctors usually recommend that they eat less foods high in saturated fat, but certain health problems can also contribute to high cholesterol levels. For example, chronic renal failure or decreased thyroid function. Some people may have high cholesterol levels “naturally” and be inherited. This genetic abnormality is called “ familial hypercholesterolemia
”.
When shaping your diet, you need to remember that cholesterol is found only in products of animal origin. This argument is often made in favor of a plant-based diet by vegetarians. However, this does not mean that if animal food is excluded, the rest of the diet can be uncontrolled. Food fried in vegetable oil and products containing palm oil can also have a negative effect on lipid metabolism.
Fish and omega-3 fatty acids
Fish and omega 3 fatty acids
Eating fatty fish is good for your heart because it contains high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce blood pressure and the risk of blood clots. In people who have had heart attacks, fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of sudden death.
Cardiologists recommend eating at least 2 servings of fish per week. The largest amounts of omega-3 fatty acids contain:
- mackerel;
- river trout;
- herring;
- sardines;
- longfin tuna;
- salmon;
- halibut.
To avoid adding unhealthy fats, fish should be baked or grilled. If you don't like fish, you can get some omega-3 fatty acids from foods like flaxseed meal, camelina oil, or canola oil.
Another option is to take omega-3 fatty acid or fish oil supplements, but then you won't get other nutrients that fish also contain (such as selenium). If you plan to use such supplements, please consult your physician first.
Do healthy people need to monitor their cholesterol?
Often people begin to monitor certain indicators when problems appear and their health worsens, but prevention is always better than cure. The concept of “healthy person” is too general. You may not have liver or metabolic problems now, but that doesn't mean you won't have them in the future. People with identified lipid metabolism disorders should regularly undergo cholesterol tests, but others should not check the strength of their body.
If your diet often contains fatty foods, high-calorie foods, and in general you like to indulge in sweets, then sooner or later this will increase your cholesterol. Other cardiovascular risk factors may also have an impact. As a result, you risk getting atherosclerosis with all the attendant consequences.
Cholesterol norm
If, according to the test results, your cholesterol is normal, then there is no serious cause for concern. Provided you follow the rules of a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle, the next examination can be done in a few years.
If the cholesterol level is elevated ( from 5 to 6.4 mmol/l or more
), then it’s worth monitoring it every six months to observe the dynamics. At the same time, you need to reconsider your diet, remove foods that increase cholesterol, and also give up bad habits: smoking and drinking alcohol. Your doctor should warn you about additional risks associated with the presence of concomitant diseases.
over 6.4 mmol/l is considered a high-risk level.
. This indicator indicates the need for specialized treatment, since there is a high probability of developing coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular complications. The treatment program should be drawn up by a doctor based on the tests performed, including identifying the level of LDL, HDL and triglycerides.
Olive oil
The benefits of olive oil
Another good source of MUFA is olive oil.
To benefit your heart, try to consume 2 tablespoons (23 g) of olive oil daily, replacing other fats. You can sauté vegetables in olive oil, add it to marinades, or mix it with vinegar for salad dressings. When frying meat, use olive oil instead of butter.
Both avocados and olive oil are high-calorie foods, so don't eat more than the recommended amount.
Risk group for atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis
- an insidious disease that develops gradually. Cholesterol level is an indirect indicator of the risk of developing atherosclerosis, but some categories of people need to be tested for cholesterol at certain intervals. The following recommendations are given:
- men over 40 years old;
- women over 45 years old;
- people with diagnosed diabetes;
- overweight people;
- people with diseases of the thyroid gland, kidneys and high blood pressure;
- smokers;
- people who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
It is important to understand that at the first stage of development, atherosclerosis has no visible specific manifestations. A person may not even be aware of the developing disease and the problem with cholesterol. Therefore, doctors recommend regularly donating blood for biochemical analysis.
When should you start monitoring your cholesterol?
It's never too early for prevention. It’s better to get used to monitoring your health from a young age, then it will present you with fewer unpleasant surprises. It is especially important to pay attention to your health after 40 years of age
, this is true for both men and women. In men, coronary heart disease may begin to develop earlier than in women. This is explained by hormonal levels. Women of childbearing age have more “good” cholesterol in their bodies, while in men the preponderance may lean toward “bad” cholesterol. After menopause, women's bad cholesterol levels may also begin to rise along with their triglyceride levels.
If previously it was believed that atherosclerosis mainly affects mature and elderly people, now the disease is diagnosed in younger patients, so it would be reasonable to start controlling cholesterol levels at 30-35 years of age. If the analysis shows that everything is normal, a re-check can be carried out after 3-4 years, but if the cholesterol level is elevated or there is a genetic predisposition to the development of heart and vascular diseases, then it is worth checking the cholesterol level more often.
Do children suffer from high cholesterol?
Cholesterol levels in children, as a rule, do not rise above normal, but they can also be at risk if hereditary hypercholesterolemia is found in their family. In this case, the child will be registered with a pediatric cardiologist from an early age. A cholesterol test should be done at the age of two years, and then repeated periodically.
Symptoms of high cholesterol
It is possible to determine the exact level of cholesterol in the body only after an analysis, but there are symptoms that may indicate the presence of disturbances in the functioning of the body. This will not allow you to make a diagnosis, but it should be a reason to visit a lipidologist or cardiologist. Make an appointment for a preventive appointment if:
- physical activity or excessive anxiety provokes the appearance of aching pain in the chest;
- even minor physical activity causes a feeling of lack of oxygen;
- you begin to get tired faster, and fatigue is accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the chest area;
- you often have a headache for no reason, there is noise in your ears, you feel oxygen starvation to the point of fainting.
If you notice the symptoms described, make an appointment with your doctor. It will be enough to visit a therapist so that he can conduct a preventive examination and, if necessary, refer you to other specialized specialists.
The diagnosis of atherosclerosis is difficult to make without biochemical and instrumental examination, so be prepared for the fact that you will have to undergo a series of tests. The examination usually begins with a blood test and an ECG.
. Then, depending on the results obtained, a treatment program is prescribed, if necessary. The patient’s blood is usually taken from a vein, but if a quick result is needed, it can be obtained using the express method by drawing blood from a finger. To obtain more accurate results, it is recommended to donate blood on an empty stomach.
