Cafestol is a diterpene molecule present in coffee. Cafestol is the most potent cholesterol-elevating compound known in the human diet. A chemical formula (also called molecular formula) is a concise way of expressing information about the atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound. ... The molecular mass of a substance (less accurately called molecular weight and abbreviated as MW) is the mass of one molecule of that substance, relative to the unified atomic mass unit u (equal to 1/12 the mass of one atom of carbon-12). ... The melting point of a solid is the temperature at which it changes state from solid to liquid. ... CAS registry numbers are unique numerical identifiers for chemical compounds, polymers, biological sequences, mixtures and alloys. ... The diterpenes are a class of molecules with 20 carbon atoms arranged as 4 isoprene units. ... In science, a molecule is the smallest particle of a pure chemical substance that still retains its chemical composition and properties. ... Coffee beans and a cup of coffee Coffee as a drink, usually served hot, is prepared from the roasted seeds (beans) of the coffee plant. ... Cholesterol is a steroid lipid, found in the cell membranes of all body tissues, and transported in the blood plasma of all animals. ...

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. Binomial name Coffea arabica L. Coffea arabica is a species of coffee indigenous to Ethiopia. ... A French Press, also known as a press pot, is a French coffee or tea brewing device — the cafetière. ... Preparation of Turkish coffee. ... Drip brew is a method for brewing coffee which involves pouring water over coffee contained in a paper filter. ...

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 recent study by the Baylor College of Medicine, cafestol may act as an agonist ligand for the genes FXR and PXR, blocking cholesterol homeostasis. Baylor College of Medicine is considered the top medical school in the state of Texas. ... Agonists An agonist is a substance that binds to a receptor and triggers a response by the cell. ... In chemistry, a ligand is an atom, ion or functional group that is bonded to one or more central atoms or ions, usually metals generally through co-ordinate covalent bond. ... Homeostasis or homoeostasis is the property of an open system, especially living organisms, to regulate its internal environment so as to maintain a stable condition, by means of multiple dynamic equilibrium adjustments controlled by interrelated regulation mechanisms. ...

External link

• NIH review of toxicology of cafestol and kahweol (http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/htdocs/Chem_Background/ExSumPdf/Cafestol.pdf)
• Studies presented at ENDO 2005 conference (http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050606/nym090.html?.v=9)