Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist based in California, says that the habit of drinking coffee every morning helps protect the liver and improve its function.
After more than 20 years of work and reviewing over 10,000 liver scans, Sethi says he has found that drinking coffee every morning offers many benefits.
Here are the main reasons to maintain a coffee-drinking habit, according to the Hindustan Times .
The habit of drinking coffee every morning may contribute to protecting the liver.
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Liver protection
According to Sethi, coffee is one of the best beverages for liver health.
Accordingly, regular coffee drinkers may reduce their risk of developing cirrhosis by up to 44%.
Cirrhosis occurs when the liver develops a large amount of scar tissue due to prolonged damage. This condition often stems from long-term alcohol consumption, chronic hepatitis B or C, or fatty liver disease.
When the liver becomes cirrhotic, its function declines and is very difficult to fully recover.
Improve liver enzymes
Sethi said that drinking coffee regularly also helps improve liver enzyme levels.
Liver enzymes are enzymes involved in metabolism, detoxification, and digestion. Common liver enzyme levels include ALT, AST, GGT, and ALP.
According to Sethi, regular coffee consumption helps reduce ALT and AST levels, two important indicators for assessing liver function.
Preventing fatty liver disease
Sethi stated that coffee can also help prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, also known as NAFLD. Currently, this disease affects about 1 in 3 adults. Coffee is one of the few beverages with significant clinical evidence showing benefits for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Decaffeinated coffee is still beneficial.
Sethi said that the benefits of coffee don't just come from caffeine.
According to him, the new polyphenol compounds are the main factor behind the liver-protective effects. Therefore, people who drink decaffeinated coffee still experience similar improvements in liver enzymes as those who drink regular coffee.
Therefore, both regular coffee and decaffeinated coffee can be beneficial choices for liver health if consumed regularly.
Note the following tips to maximize the benefits of coffee.
To reap the benefits of coffee, experts advise that healthy adults should limit their caffeine intake to no more than 400 mg per day, equivalent to about 3-4 cups of brewed coffee (depending on the type and brewing method). It's best to drink it in the morning or before 2 PM to minimize sleep disruption. Avoid drinking coffee on an empty stomach if you are prone to heartburn or acid reflux. Also, limit adding sugar, condensed milk, or cream, as these can increase calorie intake and reduce the health benefits of coffee.
Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, or people with cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled hypertension should consult their doctor about the appropriate amount of coffee to consume.