Decaf Coffee is Good for Your Liver: Study

Boost your liver health by drinking decaffeinated coffee, advises a study.

Decaf is a popular beverage in America consumed for it unique bitter taste. A recent research by experts from the National Cancer Institute found the chemical compounds in decaf coffee helps reduce the level of disease causing liver enzymes. Many earlier researches have found benefits of coffee on liver health but have not been able to ascertain the exact levels and elements in coffee responsible for it. Therefore, in the present research, the scientists examined effects of coffee drinking in more than 27,000 participants aged above 20 in 24 hours, reports the ANI News.

The subjects' blood samples were collected to measure the concentrations of bio markers of liver diseases like aminotransferase (ALT), aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transaminase (GGT).

Their analysis revealed participants who drank more than three cups of coffee a day had lower levels of ALT, AST ALP and  GGT than who never drank coffee. In addition, individuals who consumed decaffeinated coffee had lower levels of abnormal enzymes in liver.

"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. Further studies are needed to identify these components,' said Qian Xiao, study author and researcher from the National Cancer Institute, reports the Business Standard.

More information is available online in the journal the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases: Hepatology.