Health benefits of coffee: Drinking 3-4 cups daily could lower chronic liver disease risk, says UK study

Benefits of coffee: People who regularly drank coffee, regardless of type, were less likely to develop liver issues, even when accounting for other risks like alcohol use, obesity or diabetes (Image: Canva)

The next time you pick your mug of morning coffee, know that you're not just gearing up to face the day, but are also protecting your liver. In one of the largest population studies of its kind, researchers looked into how coffee of different types (including decaf) impacts chronic liver disease (CLD). The study found that all types of coffee had protective effects.

According to a study published in BMC public health, your daily brew might be quietly defending your liver; whether it’s your favourite espresso, a quick cup of instant, or soothing decaf. With CLD on the rise across the globe, coffee could become a surprising but accessible drink for your health.
According to the UK Biobank study, nearly half a million adults were followed for over 10 years.

The results showed:

• 21% lower risk of developing chronic liver disease
• 20% lower risk of developing fatty liver or CLD
• 49% lower risk of dying from chronic liver disease

It is important to note that these benefits are held up across all types of coffee, be it ground, instant or decaffeinated. Even when excluding early cases (to avoid reverse causation), coffee drinkers still had significantly lower risks. This points to a real, possibly causal connection.

Here are 5 ways your daily brew may be protecting your liver:

• Ground coffee: It is rich in various compounds. Ground coffee, especially unfiltered ones that include espresso, contains compounds like kahweol and cafestol. These have been shown in lab studies to reduce liver inflammation and fibrosis, the scarring process that leads to cirrhosis.

• Decaffeinated coffee: It is said to have benefits more than just caffeine. The fact that decaf showed similar results suggests caffeine isn’t the only player. Chlorogenic acid, abundant in all coffee types, has antioxidant properties that may reduce liver fat accumulation and damage over time.

• Instant coffee: This is one coffee that is widely available and still very effective. As per the study, despite being heavily processed, instant coffee still delivered protective effects. This matters because it's affordable and globally consumed, making it a potential tool for liver health in lower-income regions.

• Moderate coffee intake (3–4 cups): While benefits were seen even with lower intake, 3–4 cups daily gave the best results. More than that didn’t seem to help further, thus suggesting that moderation is key.

• Consistent coffee drinking: It is linked to better outcomes. People who regularly drank coffee, regardless of type, were less likely to develop liver issues, even when accounting for other risks like alcohol use, obesity or diabetes.