Coffee & Metabolic Liver Disease

How much coffee should I be drinking?

Adults should drink no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day, which is equal to 3-5, 8 oz cups of coffee per day. Less coffee (and in turn, caffeine) may be recommended for folks with certain chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure. 

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Research related to metabolic liver disease and coffee has shown 2-4, 8 oz cups of drip coffee has a protective effect, potentially improving outcomes for those with chronic liver disease. 

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How is coffee protective for the liver?

How coffee protects the liver, or what specific components of coffee are responsible for doing so, isn’t entirely clear to researchers. But, researchers think the caffeine quantity, type of coffee and compounds in coffee are responsible.

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Drip coffee, when compared to espresso and Turkish coffee, was found to produce more of a protective effect–which researchers think might be because of caffeine content (180 mg in drip coffee versus 80 mg in espresso). 

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Coffee also contains compounds that benefit our health. These compounds include antioxidants that are supportive of liver metabolism, and protect against free radical damage. Free radicals, if you aren’t already familiar, are responsible for injuring our cells, and can lead to the development of chronic conditions.

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Is there an alternative to coffee with similar health benefits?

If you’re not a coffee drinker, not to worry, green tea is in a close second. Green tea contains catechin molecules, which also act as antioxidants and protect the body from free radicals.  Catechin molecules are also viewed as potentially protective of the liver. Green tea also contains caffeine, though substantially less than coffee at roughly 40-70 mg of caffeine per serving.

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Important considerations for coffee drinks

While coffee itself has proposed health benefits, what’s added to the coffee drink also matters when it comes to metabolic liver disease. Let’s review a few tips for making better choices when it comes to liver-friendly coffee drinks.

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Tips for ordering or preparing liver-friendly coffee drinks:

• Drip coffee may be best when choosing a coffee type
• Skip the syrups and blended frappuccinos 
• Choose unsweetened plant-based alternatives like almond or soy milk
• Choose less milk versus coffee in your drink
• Order a smaller size, like tall versus venti
• Not a coffee fan? Green tea is next in line as beneficial for the liver

*References available with PDF download*