According to a comprehensive analysis published in the Journal of Hepatology, scientists found that people who drink 2-3 cups of coffee a day have a significantly lower risk of cirrhosis, liver cancer and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) than those who do not drink it.
The cause comes from antioxidants in coffee such as chlorogenic acid, cafestol and kahweol, which help fight inflammation, improve lipid metabolism, and reduce fat accumulation in the liver.
To drink coffee that is good for people with liver disease, they need:
Choose pure black coffee, avoid added sugar and condensed milk
unsweetened black coffee is an optimal choice because it does not contain added calories, saturated fat or refined sugar, which are harmful to the liver, especially for people with fatty liver.
If you need sweetness, you can use natural sweeteners such as stevia in small doses.
Excessive sugar consumption, especially fructose, is closely related to the development of fatty liver. Therefore, the habit of making coffee with condensed milk can unintentionally make liver condition worse.
Drink in moderation from 1 to 3 cups/day
Consuming 2-3 cups of coffee/day helps reduce the risk of developing cirrhosis by up to 40%. However, you should not drink more than 4 cups/day to avoid causing insomnia, anxiety, and high blood pressure.
In particular, people with liver disease should avoid drinking coffee late in the afternoon or evening because liver weakness can cause caffeine to stay longer in the blood, causing sleep disorders, a factor that indirectly affects the liver's ability to recover.
Prioritize filtered or paper-based coffee
Coffee made from filtered paper will retain most of cafestol, a compound that can increase cholesterol if consumed too much. For people with high liver enzymes and dyslipidemia, paper coffee is a safer choice than French-style brewed coffee or unfiltered expressos.
People with severe cirrhosis or acute hepatitis should consult a doctor before drinking coffee, because each liver condition has a different level of caffeine metabolism.
Avoid using coffee with liver supplements, because some pharmaceuticals can interact with caffeine, causing unwanted side effects.
Combining coffee drinking with a healthy lifestyle, moderate eating, exercise and weight control is a prerequisite to increase liver protection.
