커피 · June 20, 2026

Americano vs. Cold Brew: Which Should You Drink for Your Health?

오라시온13 min read482

Americano vs. Cold Brew: Understanding the Differences, Cholesterol, and Cafestol

These days coffee has become a drink modern life can't do without. Americano and cold brew in particular are two of the most popular coffee menus people enjoy. I personally love cold brew and even make it at home. Because they look so similar, people around me always wonder what the difference is. They may look alike, but there are various differences — from the extraction method to the taste and the effects on your health. Today I'll take a close look at the differences between these two coffees, and especially at how the components cholesterol and cafestol affect our health.

The Basic Difference Between Americano and Cold Brew ☕

Americano and cold brew differ starting with the extraction method. An Americano is made by extracting espresso quickly with high-temperature, high-pressure water and then diluting it with water. Cold brew, on the other hand, is a combination of "Cold" and "Brew," and it's made by slowly steeping coffee in cold water for 12–24 hours.

This difference in extraction also affects taste and aroma. Because cold brew is slowly extracted with cold water, it has less bitterness and acidity and a characteristically smooth taste. If you've tried both at some point, you've probably noticed the difference — but where does this difference in taste come from?

Caffeine Content: Which Coffee Has More?

One thing many people are curious about is the caffeine content. Surprisingly, did you know cold brew actually has more caffeine? When the Korea Consumer Agency analyzed the caffeine content of 36 types of bean coffee on the market, the average caffeine content of a cup of cold brew was 212mg — nearly four times the amount of caffeine in a can of energy drink. Since an Americano contains about 125mg of caffeine per cup, cold brew is considerably higher.

Why does this difference occur? Because more caffeine is released during the long, slow steeping. Caffeine has the property of extracting more the longer it stays in contact with water, so cold brew, which is extracted over a long time, ends up containing more caffeine.

If you're sensitive to caffeine, an Americano is a good choice; if you need more caffeine, cold brew can be a good option.

The Relationship Between Cholesterol and Coffee, and the Role of Cafestol

Now let's look at a more in-depth, health-related aspect. Have you heard that coffee can affect cholesterol? A component in coffee called cafestol can contribute to a rise in blood cholesterol levels. In fact, there are cases of people lowering their cholesterol by reducing their coffee intake or switching the type they drink.

Cafestol is an oil component contained in coffee beans; its proper name is cafestol, and this component is converted into cholesterol in the liver, raising blood cholesterol levels. In other words, the plant fat in coffee is turned into animal fat in the body. According to research from Baylor College of Medicine in the U.S., cafestol is one of the most potent cholesterol-elevating substances among the foods humans consume.

Which Coffee Affects Cholesterol More? ?

So between Americano and cold brew, which coffee affects cholesterol more? This depends on the extraction method and whether a filter is used.

Drip coffee, which uses a paper filter, filters out oil components like cafestol and kahweol during the filtering process. An Americano, which is espresso-based, uses a metal filter, so these components remain.

What about cold brew? It varies by extraction method, but when made by immersion without a paper filter, cold brew can have a high cafestol content. That said, more research is needed on how cold-water extraction affects cafestol release.

If You Care About Your Health, Which Coffee Should You Choose?

If you're worried about your cholesterol levels, a single shot of espresso contains about 1.5mg of cafestol, and drinking 5 cups a day over the long term can raise cholesterol by about 3.9 mg/dl. Of course, this can vary from person to person.

If you have hyperlipidemia or high cholesterol, it's better to choose drip coffee that uses a paper filter. A paper filter can remove up to 95% of cafestol, greatly reducing the risk of raising cholesterol.

On the other hand, if you have liver health issues, the oil components in coffee can be helpful, so espresso or Americano that doesn't use a paper filter is better. This is because cafestol has an effect of suppressing inflammation in the liver.

Cafestol Has Positive Sides Too!

Cafestol doesn't only have the negative side of raising cholesterol. It's also an anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer component that suppresses the abnormal new blood vessel formation caused by diabetic retinopathy, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, endometriosis, and more.

It has also been studied for its ability to suppress cancer, Parkinson's disease, and liver cirrhosis, so it plays beneficial roles too. In other words, cafestol can be seen as a "double-edged sword." It's important to choose the right coffee according to your health condition and purpose.

Choosing the Coffee That's Right for You

So far we've looked at the differences between Americano and cold brew, and the relationship between cafestol and cholesterol. I hope this helps you choose the coffee that suits your health and taste.

If you're worried about cholesterol: drip coffee with a paper filter is good.
If you're thinking about liver health: Americano or espresso can help.
If you're sensitive to caffeine: it's better to choose an Americano over cold brew.
If you want a smooth taste: cold brew, with its low bitterness and acidity, is a good fit.

If you care about your health, it's important to avoid excessive intake of any coffee. Enjoying an appropriate amount of about 1–2 cups a day is ideal. Which coffee do you enjoy? Why not find the coffee that's right for you, considering both your health and your taste?

I used to choose cold brew simply because it tasted good, without really knowing about these effects. But thanks to this, I think I've come to like cold brew even more. It's a decision I made because cold brew seems to suit my situation and taste better.

I hope this blog post helped with your coffee choices. I'll be back next time with another interesting topic. Thank you! ?

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