Coffee
For people with fatty liver disease, coffee may be more than just a morning pick-me-up. According to a new study, coffee consumption is associated with a reduced risk of progression to more serious liver disease, such as fatty liver disease.
Several mechanisms have been proposed by which coffee might protect against the progression of fatty liver disease. Coffee contains several bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other hepatoprotective properties. These effects may help reduce the risk of more serious liver disease progression.
One study looked at the effect of coffee on alanine transaminase (ALT levels). ALT is a type of enzyme found in the liver, and elevated levels of ALT are often an indicator of liver damage. The researchers found that coffee consumption was associated with lower ALT levels, suggesting that coffee could help to protect the liver from damage. In addition, coffee consumption has been associated with improvements in insulin resistance, one of the major drivers of fatty liver disease progression. Finally, coffee may help to protect the liver by reducing inflammation throughout the body.
