Study: Coffee, both decaf and regular, promotes liver health

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Researchers at the National Cancer Institute say people who drink coffee every day are doing well by their livers, improving the organ's function and potentially staving off disease.

In a recent health survey, scientists found those who drink coffee -- both decaf and regular -- were less likely to have high levels of various biomarkers that signal poor liver function, including aminotransferase, aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transaminase.

Heightened levels of these enzymes are often a signal of liver damage and are linked to problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cirrhosis and liver cancer.

In analyzing coffee habits and blood samples collected from more than 27,793 participants, 20 years of age or older, during the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, scientists found those who drank coffee had lower levels of the enzymes linked to poor liver health. The positive effects on liver health were present regardless of whether participants drank regular or decaf coffee, suggesting coffee components other than caffeine are at work.

"Prior research found that drinking coffee may have a possible protective effect on the liver. However, the evidence is not clear if that benefit may extend to decaffeinated coffee," lead researcher Dr. Qian Xiao, of the National Cancer Institute, said in a press release. "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."

Researchers say further research is necessary to figure out exactly what those ingredients may be. The study was published Friday in the journal Hepatology.