The benefits of drinking coffee may include better liver outcomes
As it turns out, your daily cup of java may be more than a comfort beverage
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Do you remember your first cup of coffee? I do. It was unforgettable, although not for the reason my father had hoped.
I come from a long line of coffee drinkers, especially on my dad’s side. My favorite grandmother drank it, as did all her children. My mother’s family avoided coffee for religious reasons, and Mom never liked it as a beverage. Still, she appreciated it in ice cream and used it to deepen the flavor of her famous chocolate cake.
Nobody in my life loved coffee more than my father.
Harry Lee was known for three things: playing guitar, laughing in the face of adversity (and persuading everyone nearby to laugh with him), and drinking coffee. He began his day with it and kept a cup nearby for nearly everything else. He took coffee while working on his car, ordered it at restaurants regardless of the hour, and sometimes carried a cup into the bathroom during his daily bath.
By high school, I was the middle child and apparently the family’s most capable coffee courier. Yet I had never tasted it myself.
One day, at his favorite café, I skipped my usual cola and ordered coffee so we could share one more thing. Dad drank his black with two sugars, so I did the same. I remember his smile as I lifted the cup. His pride over sharing his favorite drink with his second child was palpable.
I almost spit it out.
The sweetness mixed with the slightly burned flavor was nothing like I expected. Fortunately, that first grim little sip did not end my relationship with coffee. I eventually discovered that I liked it.
As it turns out, my liver may appreciate it, too.
Research has repeatedly linked regular coffee drinking with better liver outcomes. Studies have associated it with lower liver enzyme levels and reduced risks of significant fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of primary liver cancer. Some research suggests benefits may begin around two cups a day, while other findings become more noticeable at three or more cups.
Coffee is not a cure, and researchers are still untangling exactly how it helps. Caffeine, chlorogenic acids, and other compounds may reduce oxidative stress and inflammation while interfering with pathways involved in liver scarring. Decaffeinated coffee may offer some benefits, too, suggesting caffeine is not the only useful ingredient in the cup.
Unfortunately, a caramel whipped cream confection with enough syrup to varnish a yacht is not quite the same thing. The coffee still contains helpful compounds, but large amounts of added sugar and saturated fat may work against other metabolic and liver-health goals. Plain coffee, or coffee with modest additions, is the more sensible choice.
I am still learning to love mine black. Most days, I add a little milk. My favorite varieties are Sumatra, with its earthy cocoa notes, and Kona, which often tastes smoother, with hints of chocolate or vanilla.
Coffee does not agree with everyone. It can worsen reflux, disrupt sleep, or cause jitters and a racing heart. The amount of caffeine people can tolerate varies, and people with advanced cirrhosis may process it more slowly. There is no prize for forcing down coffee while your body files a formal complaint, so ask your medical team what amount makes sense for you.
As I finish this column, the sun is rising above the horizon. I have frozen blueberry waffles waiting in the kitchen and a fresh bag of Sumatra ready to open. Here’s to warm cups, better mornings, and giving our livers every reasonable advantage we can.
Note: Liver Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Liver Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to liver disease.
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