187. Coffee affects cholesterol levels differently for men and women
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
A new study shows that coffee can raise your cholesterol, but it depends on the type and whether you are male or female. In the study, published in the journal Open Heart, researchers surveyed over 21,000 adults over the age of 40, asking how many daily cups of coffee they drank and what brew type they drank. They also collected blood samples. On average, women drank just under four cups of coffee every day, while men drank almost five cups a day. The researchers found that drinking six or more cups of filtered coffee every day was associated with an increase in total cholesterol in women, but not in men. On the other hand, three to five cups per day of espresso resulted in higher total cholesterol in men. While some studies show that heavy coffee consumption can be linked to heart disease, other studies show many health benefits from drinking coffee.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
