This research adds to decades of evidence suggesting coffee might support liver health.
The study, which featured in the July issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology journal, found that regular coffee consumers have a lower risk of developing liver cancer, cirrhosis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
A US-based study has added to the growing list of coffee’s health benefits.
It indicates that daily coffee intake, whether regular or decaf, could help in preventing serious liver conditions.
This aligns with previous studies linking coffee consumption to lower rates of chronic liver disease, including reduced liver fibrosis, improved liver enzyme levels, and decreased liver- related mortality.
This research adds to decades of evidence suggesting coffee might support liver health. However, the study’s authors caution that their results do not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
The study, which featured in the July issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology journal, found that regular coffee consumers have a lower risk of developing liver cancer, cirrhosis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Your morning coffee may be more than just a quick energy boost. A US-based study has added to the growing list of coffee’s health benefits. It indicates that daily coffee intake, whether regular or decaf, could help in preventing serious liver conditions.
Scientists tracked 355,000 adults over more than 13 years to conduct this study— participants reported their coffee intake, and researchers monitored various health outcomes.
Those who drank five or more cups daily were 47% less likely to develop liver cancer, 32% less likely to develop cirrhosis, and 42% less likely to die from liver-related issues than non-coffee drinkers.
The findings also suggest that health benefits are not only due to caffeine, but also because of naturally-occuring antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents in coffee. For example, chlorogenic acid, found in coffee, has been shown to reduce liver inflammation and enhance insulin response, while other compounds might prevent liver damage and fat accumulation.
This aligns with previous studies linking coffee consumption to lower rates of chronic liver disease, including reduced liver fibrosis, improved liver enzyme levels, and decreased liver- related mortality. However, experts emphasise that this research should not replace a healthy lifestyle or medical treatment. Since it is observational, it cannot definitively prove that coffee prevents liver disease. Diet and exercise remain key factors in maintaining liver health.
The researchers conclude that their findings are part of an expanding body of evidence supporting moderate coffee consumption as part of a healthy lifestyle. While more research is needed to understand the mechanisms, the study suggests that a daily or even multiple daily cups of coffee could offer benefits beyond increased alertness.
