Is Coffee Harmful to Your Liver? Know here

• Image Credit: Google

• Jul 28, 2024 | Guriya Khatun

The liver is a powerhouse, performing over 500 functions including converting nutrients into energy, producing essential proteins, and breaking down medications and waste.

Digital Desk: Is coffee your preferred morning ritual? You’re in good company! A recent survey reveals that 60% of people enjoy their daily cup of coffee. The key to coffee's widespread appeal is caffeine, a stimulant that enhances alertness and reduces fatigue by directly stimulating the brain.

Beyond its energizing effects, coffee is packed with antioxidants that help combat inflammation by neutralizing free radicals, which can damage cells. Excessive free radicals are linked to premature aging and various diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Additionally, coffee aids digestion by speeding up the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract, which explains why some people may experience a bowel movement shortly after their morning coffee.

How Does Coffee Affect Your Liver?

The liver is a powerhouse, performing over 500 functions including converting nutrients into energy, producing essential proteins, and breaking down medications and waste. Given its critical roles, maintaining liver health is crucial. Fortunately, coffee can be beneficial in this regard.

There are several reasons that state that coffee is beneficial for liver health:

• Antioxidants: Coffee contains antioxidants like chlorogenic acid (CGA) that assist the liver in processing glucose and preventing fat buildup.
• Reduced Inflammation: Regular coffee consumption is associated with lower levels of inflammation, which may protect against liver diseases.
• Autophagy Stimulation: Coffee might promote autophagy, a process that clears damaged cell components, helping the liver maintain its health and function.

Overall, coffee appears to be advantageous for liver health. It’s linked to a lower risk of chronic liver diseases and liver cancer. Regular coffee drinkers often have lower levels of liver enzymes, which can be elevated in liver disease. With such significant benefits, coffee is sometimes referred to as the “magical bean for liver health.”