But six or more cups of drip coffee have been linked by researchers to higher cholesterol levels in women. Similar levels of drinking using a coffee maker were also associated with increased cholesterol, but in similar amounts for both genders. The study by the Arctic University of Norway used data from 21,000 Tromso residents who were surveyed in 2015-2016.

The different effects coincide with the coffee habits of the respective sex of the drinkers.

In an article published in the journal Open Heart, the researchers said, “Coffee is the most consumed central stimulant in the world.

“Due to the high consumption of coffee, even small health effects can have huge health consequences.

“Increased knowledge of the association of espresso coffee with serum cholesterol will improve recommendations for coffee consumption.”

Professor Tom Sanders, an expert in nutrition and dietetics at King’s College London, said espresso coffee was often more popular with men.

He said certain organic chemicals found in coffee significantly raise blood cholesterol – and more so than saturated fat.

Professor Saunders added: “It doesn’t matter what type of coffee you drink if you only drink one or two cups a day, but it does matter if you drink more.

“It is likely that the observed differences between males and females are due to a difference in coffee drinking behavior rather than a physiological difference.”