Good news, coffee drinkers. Your morning cup may be doing more than helping you wake up. It could also have benefits for your liver health.
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, and researchers have been studying its connection to liver health for years. New research is helping us better understand how your daily cup of coffee may be linked to a healthier liver.
What the research says
A recent study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology followed more than 354,000 people for an average of 13 years to explore the connection between coffee consumption and liver health. They found that people who drank more coffee had lower rates of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (the most common type of liver cancer) and liver-related death.
Compared with people who did not drink coffee, those drinking higher amounts of coffee had up to:
- 32% lower risk of cirrhosis
- 47% lower risk of hepatocellular carcinoma
- 42% lower risk of liver-related death
Benefits were seen even among those drinking just one to two cups per day, but researchers found that the benefits were strongest around 5 to 6 cups a day.
Caffeinated or decaffeinated?
Researchers saw similar associations with liver health in people who drank caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, which means that caffeine is likely not the cause for improved liver health. Coffee contains antioxidants and other naturally occurring compounds that may help reduce inflammation and fat buildup in the liver.
What you put in your coffee matters
While coffee itself may offer liver health benefits, what you add to your cup still matters. Large amounts of added sugar, flavoured syrups and creamers can add extra sugar, saturated fat and calories.
For an everyday option, try enjoying your coffee black or with a small amount of milk.
In conclusion
If you already enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning, there is another reason to enjoy it!
Keep in mind that although research shows that moderate intake can be part of a healthy lifestyle, it shouldn’t replace other liver friendly lifestyle habits such as eating a balanced meal pattern, staying active and limiting alcohol.
To learn more about ways to care for your liver visit liver.ca/your-liver.
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