Study finds drinking coffee beneficial for liver health

(NaturalNews) A recent study led by Dr. Qian Xiao from the National Cancer Institute has found that people who drink three cups of coffee daily are 25 percent less likely than non-coffee drinkers to have abnormal levels of liver enzymes.⁽¹⁾ Caffeinated versus decaf made no difference; both yielded similar results in a survey analysis of over 27,000 people that spanned more than 10 years.⁽²⁾

Elevated liver enzymes, which are typically higher on a temporary basis and are not usually chronic, can indicate that injury or inflammation of liver cells has occurred.⁽³⁾

In the study, four liver-functioning markers were analyzed via a blood test among the participants, all of whom had varying levels of coffee intake.⁽²⁾

The study, titled "Inverse associations of total and decaffeinated coffee with liver enzyme levels in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2010" was published in the journal Hepatology. It notes the following details regarding the four markers:

Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transaminase (GGT) were measured. We examined the relationship between coffee intake and enzymatic levels using weighted multiple variable logistic (abnormally elevated levels of enzymes) and linear regression (continuous enzymatic levels).⁽²⁾

All four markers were lower among those who consumed at least three cups of coffee every day versus those who drank none.

The health benefits of drinking coffee

"Our findings link total and decaffeinated coffee intake to lower liver enzyme levels," Dr. Xiao said. "These data suggest that ingredients in coffee, other than caffeine, may promote liver health."⁽⁴⁾

Indeed, the ingredients in coffee have been heralded for quite a while, with many focusing on benefits beyond levels of liver enzymes.

For example, according to scientists, a serving of coffee has more antioxidants than a serving of blueberries or oranges and four times as much antioxidant activity as what's found in one cup of green tea. As such, experts feel that coffee has protective properties that diminish the severity or even the onset of certain health problems such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart conditions.⁽⁵⁾

One Japanese study comprised of over 60,000 people found that, compared to non-coffee drinkers, those who did enjoy the beverage were not as likely to develop liver cancer. Other studies have found drinking coffee to benefit women, lowering their risk for endometrial cancer.⁽⁵⁾

Other findings have shown that coffee even helps provide headache relief and athletic endurance, as well as alleviate depression.⁽⁵⁾

Sources:

(1) http://well.blogs.nytimes.com

(2) http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com

(3) http://www.mayoclinic.org

(4) http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

(5) http://www.naturalnews.com

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