When we talk about health, wellness, and disease prevention, our livers tend to get left out of the conversation. But there are some worrying statistics about the rates of liver-related issues worth paying close attention to. For example, the rate of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has more than doubled over the last 20 years. The rate of liver cancer has more than tripled since 1980, with the rate of death caused by liver cancer having doubled. With stats like these, reducing your risk of liver issues is worth prioritizing.
Top Risk Factors for Chronic Liver Disease
There are a few lifestyle factors that can contribute to the development of chronic liver disease. These include:
- Drinking alcohol excessively
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Hepatitis B and C infections
How Coffee Can Help Prevent Chronic Liver Disease
A recent study has found that drinking three to four cups of coffee per day decreases the risk of developing chronic liver diseases. According to this study, regularly drinking coffee reduced the chances of chronic liver disease by 21%, and the risk of fatty liver disease decreased by 20%. Most importantly, daily coffee drinkers were half as likely to die from chronic liver disease.
Coffee contains two antioxidants, kahweol and cafestol, that hold anti-inflammatory properties. These properties help prevent chronic liver diseases and promote general wellness.
Coffee contains two antioxidants, kahweol and cafestol, that hold anti-inflammatory properties. These properties help prevent chronic liver diseases and promote general wellness.
This is great news, because it means that the prevention of harmful liver diseases starts with what’s in your morning mug. Coffee’s widespread consumption and accessibility make this study’s findings easy to apply to your life for scientifically proven results.
Being Conscious of Your Coffee Consumption
There are some important caveats to note from these findings. For example, the maximum level of benefit was found for drinkers of ground coffee, however, instant coffee drinkers saw some benefit as well.
It’s also essential to keep in mind that coffee additives like sugar, creamer, and high-fat milk can dull the beneficial effects of coffee consumption, so limiting their use is key. On top of additives, your serving size should be paid attention to as well: 8 ounces is the typical serving size in studies on coffee benefits.
Lastly, these benefits are not applicable to certain populations, including pregnant women, young children or adolescents, and people with sleep issues or uncontrolled diabetes.
Take Control of Your Liver Health
Three to four cups of joe can have a huge impact on your liver’s health. While coffee isn’t a miracle cure for existing liver disease, it can be a useful tool for liver disease prevention, significantly reducing your chances of developing fatty liver disease.
