Decaf coffee 'good for the liver'

Drinking decaffeinated coffee could have significant health benefits for the liver, according to a new study.

Figures show that more than 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed throughout the world each year, with the UK spending around £730 million on the beverage annually. Men typically drink more than women, having 1.7 cups each day compared to females' 1.5 daily cups on average.

Although this high level of consumption may lead to concerns regarding the dangers of caffeine intake, researchers have found that coffee - regardless of its caffeine content - can result in lower levels of abnormal enzymes being present in the liver.


Ahead of the investigation, lead author of the paper Dr Qian Xiao of the National Cancer Institute in the US explained: 'Prior research found that drinking coffee may have a possible protective effect on the liver.'

This was found to be the case even for decaffeinated coffee, suggesting caffeine does not necessarily have an impact on the liver's health, but that it is another ingredient in the beverage that affects these enzymes.


The study involved 27,793 participants, all of whom were aged at least 20. Their daily coffee intake was recorded and doctors examined their blood for several indicators of liver health.

It was found that those who drank three or more cups of coffee each day had lower levels of enzymes associated with deteriorating liver health, with this particularly being the case for those consuming just decaffeinated coffee.

Dr Xiao concluded: 'Our findings link total and decaffeinated coffee intake to lower liver enzyme levels. These data suggest that ingredients in coffee, other than caffeine, may promote liver health.'

He added that further studies will be needed to determine exactly what these are.

Previous research relating to coffee has also found the drink can help to reduce a person's risk of developing liver cancer, cirrhosis, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

This latest study can be found in the journal Hepatology.ADNFCR-554-ID-801753684-ADNFCR

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