Study: Drinking Filtered Coffee Reduces Risk of Heart Disease

Category: Health

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. pour / pɔr / (v) – to send (a liquid, fluid, or anything in loose particles) flowing or falling, as from one container to another, or into, over, or on something
    Example:

    The waiter poured wine into the two glasses.


  2. take place / teɪk pleɪs / (idiom) – to happen
    Example:

    Many sports events will take place next year.


  3. assert / əˈsɜrt / (v) – to state something in a confident manner
    Example:

    The lawyer asserted that his client was innocent.


  4. refrain / rɪˈfreɪn / (v) – to stop oneself from doing something
    Example:

    The doctor said I should refrain from drinking too much soft drinks.


  5. negate / nɪˈgeɪt / (v) – to cause something to be ineffective
    Example:

    Eating a lot after exercising negates the benefits of your workout.


Article

Read the text below.

People who drink filtered coffee are less likely to have heart conditions, according to a study.


The study looked into the link between coffee brewing methods and heart health. According to the study, filtered coffee, which is prepared by pouring hot water in a filter with coffee beans, is good for keeping the heart healthy.


According to researchers, using a filter removes oil and cafestol, a substance that can increase cholesterol levels in the body, from coffee.


The researchers monitored coffee drinking habits of more than 500,000 people aged 20 to 79 from Norway. The participants answered a questionnaire about the amount and type of coffee they consumed. Afterward, the researchers documented other factors related to the participants’ heart health, such as cholesterol levels, blood pressure, smoking habits, and physical activity.


The observation took place between 1985 and 2003. Within this period, more than 46,000 of the participants died, and 12,621 of the deaths were caused by heart disease. Based on the findings, participants who drank filtered coffee had a 15% reduced risk of suffering from heart disease. The researchers explained that fatty substances in a cup of filtered coffee are 30 times lower than those in unfiltered coffee.


Dag Thelle, one of the researchers, asserted that there is indeed a strong link between coffee brewing methods and heart health. She added that filtered coffee will benefit people who have high cholesterol and asked those who have cholesterol issues to refrain from drinking unfiltered coffee.


The American Health Association also warned that adding too much cream and sugar can negate the health benefits of drinking filtered coffee.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Do you think the results of the study will convince unfiltered coffee drinkers to switch to filtered coffee? Why or why not?
• Should the researchers also examine other methods of making coffee? Explain.

Discussion B

• What are some common habits that negate the health benefits of good practices (e.g. eating a lot after working out)? Discuss.
• Why do you think some people still do these things even if the health benefits are negated? Explain.