Experts say coffee could delay the onset and progression of liver complications
Coffee is almost everyone’s go-to drink to recharge and have that extra jolt of energy to push themselves through the day at work. The good news is that coffee could also be beneficial for your liver to carry out its daily functions, especially detoxification. Multiple observational studies have indicated the same and more research is underway to establish this healthy link between coffee and liver. According to some reports, having two to three cups of black coffee every day helps reduce the risk and delay the onset of liver complications.
Benefits of coffee for liver
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Dr. Sujoy Maitra, a consultant gastroenterologist at Manipal Hospitals in Kolkata, notes that caffeine is the primary component in coffee when we discuss it. “Caffeine is a strong neuro stimulating agent, which helps stimulate or modulate various neurological and hormonal functions,” claims Dr. Banik.
Coffee consumption may play a complementary role in providing additional liver protection, lowering the risk of cirrhosis, preventing NAFLD, preventing some GI cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma, and reducing the risk of hepatitis C liver disease, according to Dr. Krishanu Banik of Fortis Anandapur in Kolkata.
Can coffee reduce the risk for liver diseases?
According to Dr. Maitra, drinking coffee may help patients with fatty liver disease avoid developing fibrosis and stop the spread of hepatocellular carcinoma. He adds that coffee drinkers may be at a lower risk of acquiring hepatocellular carcinoma than non-drinkers.
According to several research, people with chronic liver disease who drink coffee have a lower death rate and chance of developing cirrhosis.
According to Dr. Banik, the precise mechanism through which it prevents liver disorders is still unknown. The risk of diabetes, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome is increased by high insulin levels. He does, however, add that research has shown that coffee lowers insulin resistance, which lowers the risks of developing diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.
Several studies demonstrate that coffee reduces liver fibrosis. Dr. Manish Kak, consultant gastroenterology, Manipal Hospital, Ghaziabad: “Consuming coffee shows some improvement in liver illnesses, but we cannot conclude that it can entirely correct conditions like fatty liver or cirrhosis.
Is excess coffee bad for the liver?
“The blacker the coffee is, with less sugar and less milk, the better it is,” says Dr Kak.
Dr Banik says, “Everything has a permitted dose.” He adds that 400 mg per day is the maximum coffee one can consume. According to Dr Banik, one cup of coffee gives about 140 mg of caffeine (the active ingredient of coffee).
According to experts, three to four cups of coffee is the maximum recommended quantity. “Coffee is a stimulant,” says Dr Maitra. He adds that it increases your appetite and keeps you up. Dr Kak says that excess caffeine can cause dizziness.
“The hormonal environment is disturbed because of coffee. In excess, it may ultimately jeopardise the liver,” says Dr Maitra.
More controlled trials and studies required, say experts
Dr Banik adds that there is no strong evidence on the effects of coffee on the liver, but these findings come from large observational studies. According to Dr Maitra, there is no hard evidence that coffee has a role to play in benefitting or damaging the liver. He adds that one cannot control the other factors related to liver diseases in an observational study. So, controlled studies that give a hard conclusion on the effects of coffee on the liver are to be conducted on the effect of coffee on liver health.
Healthy lifestyle and diet important for liver health
Dr Kak adds that people with any kind of liver conditions should also follow their doctor’s instructions like opting for a healthier lifestyle and diet. He adds that coffee has a complementary role to play in improving your liver health.
“If a person only consumes coffee and does not take other preventive measures, it will not work,” says Dr Kak.
Takeaways
Coffee reduces the fat deposition in the liver. It could play a complementary role in protecting the liver from complications. It is also shown to have helped treat existing liver conditions like HCC, NAFLD. The recommended amount of coffee is three to four cups a day. Coffee should only be used as a supplement and not the only factor to treat liver complications.
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