He coffee, one of the most consumed drinks in the world, has captured the attention of the scientific community for its positive effects on the liver health.
Various studies indicate that the regular coffee consumption Not only can it reduce the risk of developing liver diseases, but it also contributes to improving liver function in people diagnosed with fatty liver.
The compounds present in coffee seem to exert a protective effect, helping to reduce inflammation and promoting cell regeneration, which makes this infusion a potential ally in the prevention and treatment of liver disorders. As indicated in a study in the scientific journal SpringerNature.
As we mentioned, the coffee It provides several benefits for liver health, as noted in the aforementioned study and other scientific reviews. Among the main positive effects the following stand out:
- Reduced risk of chronic liver diseases: Regular coffee consumption is associated with a lower incidence of diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver, cirrhosis and chronic viral hepatitis. It also reduces the chance of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer.
- Delayed progression of liver fibrosis: Coffee helps slow the progression of fibrosis, which is the accumulation of scar tissue in the liver. This is observed both in people with previous liver diseases and in the general population.
- Decreased inflammation and oxidative stress: The bioactive compounds in coffee, such as caffeine, polyphenols (chlorogenic acid) and diterpenes (cafestol and kahweol), have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This contributes to less inflammation and cellular damage in the liver.
- Improved liver enzyme levels: People who consume coffee tend to show lower values of liver enzymes (ALT, AST and GGT), markers that signal damage or inflammation in the liver.
- Protection against liver cancer: Coffee is associated with a reduced risk of developing liver cancer, even with the consumption of one cup a day. The protective effects increase with the amount, up to a maximum of three or four cups a day.
- Positive modulation of metabolism and intestinal microbiota: Coffee improves insulin sensitivity, reduces fat accumulation in the liver and favors the composition of the intestinal microbiota, which reduces inflammation and the risk of liver diseases.
- Effects observed in different types of coffee: Both filtered, instant, espresso and decaffeinated coffee have shown benefits on liver health.
Various scientific studies have shown that regular coffee consumption can provide benefits to the liver and help reduce inflammation. Regarding its consumption, the evidence indicates the following:
- Consume between 3 and 4 cups of coffee a daywhether caffeinated or decaffeinated, is associated with a lower risk of developing chronic liver diseasesas nonalcoholic fatty livercirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition, those who already have liver disease may experience slower progression of fibrosis and a reduction in mortality linked to liver pathologies.
- The coffee containse antioxidants and compounds with anti-inflammatory effectslike the chlorogenic acid, kahweol and cafestolwhich contribute to these benefits. Coffee consumption is also linked to a decrease in inflammatory markers in the blood.
- Maximum benefits are seen in those who drink 3 to 4 cups daily. Ingesting more than 400 mg of caffeine per day (equivalent to 4-5 cups) could cause side effects in sensitive people, so it is recommended not to exceed that limit if discomfort occurs.
These positive effects are found in both filtered, instant, espresso and decaffeinated coffee. It is preferable to avoid adding sugar or cream to maximize the benefits.
It is important to mention that to obtain its benefits, its consumption must be accompanied by a change in habits and healthy eating.
