Is Coffee Good For Your Liver

Consumption of coffee is a long-held tradition in many cultures. The beverage has outlasted many generations and will still exist for years to come. For many, taking a cup of coffee on the way out of the house, from the cafe on the way to work or preparing one at work, has become a morning ritual that primes them for the day.Based on statistics, coffee consumption was at an all time high, owing to the pandemic. Many people who relied on their workplace for their daily dose of coffee, began to patronise cafes, drive throughs, and digital platforms owing to the closure of their workplace.

The question is: With such a high amount of coffee consumption, is it healthy? Does it cause harm to the liver down the line?

To put this concern in perspective: the liver is the largest  organ in the body. It’s the major organ responsible for ridding the body of toxins.Hence, any damage to it could result in grave consequences. In fact, Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a serious health problem worldwide. But, there's no need to worry. Scientific research has proven that a consumption of coffee is of immense benefit to the liver. 

These benefits are linked to the anti-inflammatory or anti-fibrotic properties of coffee.

Here's a rundown of the benefits:

• Coffee consumption reduces the risk of liver cancer 
• Lowers risk of liver fibrosis which is the buildup of scarred tissue in the liver 
• Slows the progression of liver disease in those already suffering from different liver diseases
• This study has the greatest benefit to low-income countries, where the burden of chronic liver disease is highest. It's even more important, since the cost of treatment or surgery could be way above the reach of patients.

So what amount of coffee consumption would produce the benefits mentioned?

Based on the study quotes above, the greatest benefit can be seen when the coffee consumption per day is set at one to two cups per day. However, sufferers of other health conditions like gastrointestinal and heart disease, should avoid consuming coffee. It could aggravate the disease condition. Just like any other thing, over consumption could also be an issue.

You should note:

This study does not validate consumption of alcohol, or smoking since these habits can still cause serious harm to the liver. It's better to combine a change in habit, with the curative effect of coffee.