Coffee lovers, rejoice!
The health benefits of your daily cup of joe are a topic of hot debate.
While we knew the good stuff was full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, we are still regularly advised to limit our intake, (and have noticed the judgemental glares as we go in for the fourth top up).
However, a recent review of nine separate studies has gleaned some very interesting results when it comes to coffee intake and liver disease.
Cirrhosis of the liver kills more than one million people every year worldwide and can be caused by hepatitis infections, excessive alcohol consumption, immune disorders and fatty liver disease.
The studies, which took in 430,000 people, found that two coffees per day were linked to a 44% lower risk of liver cirrhosis, and the more coffee consumed, the lower the risk.
Three cups saw a 56% lower risk, and four cups resulted in a whopping 65% lower risk of developing the disease.
Dr Oliver Kennedy of Southampton University, said: “Cirrhosis is potentially fatal and there is no cure as such.
“Therefore, it is significant that the risk of developing cirrhosis may be reduced by consumption of coffee, a cheap, ubiquitous and well-tolerated beverage.”
What is it about coffee that counteracts the disease? They’re not actually sure.
Dr. Kennedy explained:
“Coffee is a complex mixture containing hundreds of chemical compounds, and it is unknown which of these is responsible for protecting the liver.”
However, he warned that this shouldn’t be taken as an excuse to load up on frothy caramel lattes topped with whipped cream and sugary syrups.
Rage.
