Study: Coffee May Protect Liver From Booze

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- People who enjoy cocktails should think about adding an extra cup of coffee to their routine.

According to Medical News Today, a study published in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics showed that daily consumption of coffee is linked to reduced risk of liver cirrhosis.

The authors state that liver cirrhosis, which often develops due to viruses like Hepatitis C or toxins like alcohol, causes over one million deaths per year. It can be fatal because it raises the risk of liver failure and cancer.

Researchers found that upping daily coffee consumption could substantially reduce the risk of liver cirrhosis.

They looked at data from nine long-term studies analyzing half a million men and women from six different countries.

The researchers found that several active ingredients in coffee, such as chlorogenic acid, kahweol and cafestol, protect the liver.

It was noted that clinical trials were needed ti investigate the wider harms and benefits of coffee so doctors could make specific recommendations to patients.

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