Doctors have called the most useful drinks for liver health

Coffee and herbal tea contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases of the liver.

The use of tea and/or coffee became a daily habit in many countries.

These drinks contain several active substances that affect different aspects of human health.

In the Netherlands, a study was conducted that showed that regular consumption of coffee and herbal tea contributes to the prevention of chronic diseases of the liver, in particular, prevents the development of fibrosis, loss of elasticity and scarring due to chronic inflammation.

In recent decades, they tend to bad habits: sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diets (Western diet), says the study’s lead author Louise Alferink (Louise Alferink), an employee of the Medical centre of Erasmus University (Erasmus University Medical Centre), Netherlands. Western diet rich in processed foods sweetened with low nutrient content. Such a diet is the cause of overweight and development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease — in the body accumulates excess fat, experts explain.

To investigate the potential protective effect of drinking coffee and tea, the researchers analyzed information about 2,4 thousand persons aged 45 years without liver disease. Studied medical data, including the results of the scan of the abdominal organs and liver. Among the participants of the study conducted a survey on their dietary preferences, including consumption of tea and coffee. Participants specified what type of tea they are drinking black, green or herbal.

The study showed that coffee significantly reduced the risk of a loss of elasticity of the liver. They had identified less scarring on the liver than other study participants, regardless of lifestyle and environmental conditions.

Scientists concluded that the frequent consumption of coffee and herbal tea might have some benefit to the liver: to prevent scarring and loss of elasticity of the body in individuals without obvious signs of liver disease. The results of the study were published in the journal “Journal of Hepatology”.

The exact mechanism of action of active components of coffee on the liver is unknown. It can be associated with an antioxidant effect, said the scientists. The new study does not allow to conclude that the consumption of coffee and herbal teas directly leads to improving the state of the liver and only shows an Association between consumption of these drinks and the health authority. For a detailed study of the phenomenon it is necessary to conduct additional research.

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