Is French press coffee bad for you? Expert advice TikTok's hot topic

If you're anything like me, over the last month, your TikTok will have been full of people asking 'Is French press coffee bad for you?'. There's lots of information on coffee's benefits for the microbiome, your fiber intake, and your workouts, but are there any downsides to drinking coffee? Is coffee healthy? And is my coffee maker non-toxic?

With all these questions brewing, I started to do some research. First, I looked into non-toxic coffee makers (there's plenty out there, by the way). Then I did a deep dive into the connection between French press coffee and cholesterol. Most of your favorite coffee makers, like pour-over or bean-to-cup machines, are totally fine. However, those that use the immersion method of brewing coffee, such as French presses and Turkish coffee, leave some coffee grounds in your cup. According to some research, these contain low levels of cholesterol. However, unless you're drinking coffee by the gallon, it won't impact your health.

To get some expert insights, I spoke with medical directors and registered dieticians to find out whether we can keep drinking as normal or whether we need to cut out coffee completely. I think you'll find their answers reassuring.

Is French press coffee bad for you?

Whenever I asked dieticians and medical professionals the question 'Is French press coffee bad for you?', they always ended up talking about the benefits of coffee.

Consumed in moderation, all the experts recommended coffee as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Norah Clark, a registered dietician, told me 'Coffee is full of B vitamins, manganese, and potassium. It has nutrients which may shield you from chronic ailments, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It’s also a friend to your liver, with studies celebrating its ability to ward off liver diseases.'

In spite of some concerns, it looks like coffee has excellent credentials.

Registered dietician

Registered dietician

Norah Clark

Norah is an experienced chef, and qualified nutritionist who has worked for numerous hotels and restaurants worldwide. She loves French press coffee, so has done lots of research on the benefits and potential health concerns of a brew.

Howey, Head of Coffee at Grind, elaborated on the health benefits of coffee. He says 'Amidst the scientific minefield, one consistent note emerges – coffee boasts anti-inflammatory properties, a crucial factor in combating a myriad of health issues. While the science might be clouded, moderate coffee consumption shows signs of promoting longevity, reducing the risk of ailments such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.'

Howey has plenty of advice for selecting the best coffee for your health benefits. Alongside a caution that everything should be enjoyed in moderation. He says 'darker roasts may dim potential benefits. Compounds like antioxidants, essential for health, can be diminished in the roasting process. Lighter roasts emerge as the heroes, preserving these compounds and potentially offering more health perks.'

Howard Gill

Grind's Head of Coffee, Howey, has worked in coffee for nearly 20 years. He joined the Grind team in 2016 to set up their very own roastery in London. Since then, the roastery team has gone from a one-man band of just Howey to over 20 people.

The common concerns over French press coffee center around cholesterol. Registered dietician Lori Walker told me that 'French press coffee contains high levels of cafestol, a compound found in the oily part of coffee beans. Cafestol has been linked to an increase in cholesterol levels, which can potentially lead to heart disease if consumed in large amounts.'

This isn't ideal, but when I spoke with Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon, Steven Fiore, he emphasized that 'The compounds which can raise cholesterol levels only have a small effect from coffee. Moderation is key, so listen to your body's responses.'

Registered dietitian

Registered dietitian

Lori Walker

Lori is a registered dietitian, passionate freelance food and nutrition writer, and creative recipe developer. She''s all about helping people to a healthier life, so she makes, quick, healthy recipes and blog posts.

When I asked professionals to put a number on excessive or large amounts of coffee consumption, they normally suggested that the limit was at around five cups of coffee per day. In an interview, Tim Spector, gut scientist and researcher, said 'By the time you hit five cups, you're probably exceeding 300 milligrams, which is the guideline for maximum coffee consumption per day. At that level, while you might be getting some of the benefits of polyphenols, you'll be getting to see the downside of excess caffeine too.'

Tim returned to praising coffee, as he said 'The bigger Scandinavian studies have shown that coffee drinkers have lower all-cause mortality than non-coffee drinkers, but, like all things, the dose is the poison.'

French press coffee isn't bad in moderation, it's only bad in excess. 

Professor of genetics

Professor of genetics

Tim Spector

Tim Spector is a professor of genetics and author, researching the microbiome and its effects. He appeared on a podcast celebrating the benefits of coffee recently.

How to make French press coffee healthier

Lori suggested that although black coffee is healthy, when people add sugar and cream to their drinks, the fat and calorie content shoots up. This is where serious negative health impacts are a cause for concern. Of course, it might not taste as good, but she recommended swapping cream for almond milk and sugar for cinnamon. 

She also suggested using organic coffee beans (I like these), because they are free of pesticides and other chemicals. It's also good to use filtered water, reducing the contaminants in your coffee, whilst improving the taste.

If you still feel concerned about your coffee, try switching from French press to pour-over coffee or paper-filtered cold brew, even if it's just one cup a day. These brewing styles will produce a similar flavor profile to French press, but without any of the very small risk of extra cholesterol. If that still won't sate your coffee cravings, you can use a paper filter in your French press to ensure no grinds and oils get into your cup of coffee. 

French press FAQs

What are the negatives of French press coffee?

All coffees come with warnings. As a stimulant, it can affect your sleep and anxiety levels. Negatives directly related to French press coffee are that it's time consuming, takes effort to clear, and some grounds can slip into your coffee cup. These grounds contain a small amount of cholesterol, which is something to be aware of if you have heart or health concerns.

What is the healthiest way to brew coffee?

Using high-altitude, organic beans and filtered water will make a healthy cup of coffee. There's controversy over the best brewing method: filter paper absorbs some of the delicious (and healthy) oils, whilst metal filters leave more flavor, but don't always produce the smoothest cup. Using an espresso machine avoids both those issues, plus it's my go-to.

Is pour-over healthier than French press?

French press coffee can raise your cholesterol levels, which can have negative implications on your health. Although pour-over filter paper can extract some of the healthy oils, if you're being cautious, a pour-over is the healthier option. Remember to consume both French press and pour-over coffee in moderation.

Is it better for me to use filtered water in my coffee?

This question comes alongside lots of other health-related coffee queries. I've dedicated a whole article to whether you should use filtered water in your coffee, but here's the headlines: the minerals in unfiltered water can be good for your health, but there are other impurities or chemicals that won't be as good (and they'll make your coffee less consistent). As a general rule, it's better to use filtered water in your coffee.

Medical experts have reassured me that there's nothing wrong with French press coffee in moderation. Although there is cholesterol in French press coffee, the quantities and effects are very small if you don't drink too many cups of coffee each day. Given that French press coffee has plenty of health benefits, I'm happy to keep enjoying a full-bodied brew. Plus, there's so much you can do with a French press, some things which aren't even coffee related, so I'll be keeping mine in top spot on my countertops.