Coffee may reduce severity of liver obesity

Increased coffee consumption may reduce the severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in overweight people with type 2 diabetes, Portuguese scientists have found from the University of Coimbra, the journal Nutrients reported.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a collective term for liver disease caused by the accumulation of fat in the liver. It can lead to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and cancer. NAFLD results from unhealthy lifestyles: not enough exercise and a high-calorie, fatty diet.

Researchers interviewed 156 people of average weight at the lower end of obesity, 98 of whom had type 2 diabetes and provided urine samples collected over 24 hours. In the samples, scientists assessed the natural breakdown products of coffee in the body.

Caffeine intake was associated with decreased liver fibrosis in NAFLD and other chronic liver diseases. Patients with higher levels of caffeine were less prone to liver fibrosis. In addition, high levels of other components of coffee in urine were significantly associated with decreased fatty liver dystrophy.

Scientists suggest that the polyphenols in coffee reduce oxidative stress in the liver, which in turn reduces the risk of fibrosis and also improves glucose metabolism in both healthy and overweight people. It is likely that these effects may also alleviate the severity of type 2 diabetes.