Coffee may be doing more than helping people get through a workout or early morning training session. According to new research published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, regular coffee drinkers were less likely to develop several liver-related problems over time, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.
The study examined diet and health data from nearly 355,000 adults in the UK Biobank and followed participants for about 13 years. Researchers looked for liver complications, liver-related deaths, and signs of liver function. They found that people who drank five or more cups of coffee a day had a 32 percent lower risk of cirrhosis, a 47 percent lower risk of liver cancer, and a 42 percent lower risk of dying from a liver-related cause compared with non-drinkers. The benefits appeared with both regular and decaf coffee, and even smaller daily amounts were linked to some protection.
Why coffee may help
Experts quoted in the report said coffee contains more than caffeine. It also includes compounds such as chlorogenic acids, polyphenols, and diterpenes, which may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-scarring effects. Those properties may help reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, and the processes that lead to liver fibrosis. The study also found that coffee drinkers had lower liver inflammation and higher levels of proteins associated with healthier liver function.
This is not the first time coffee has been tied to liver health. Earlier studies have linked coffee intake with lower risks of chronic liver disease and certain liver cancers. The report also notes that coffee has been associated in many studies with lower risks of heart disease, heart failure, and stroke, although effects can vary depending on how much is consumed and how it is prepared.
Source: womenshealthmag.com
