Coffee but not espresso may prevent liver fibrosis

By David Liu, PHD

Saturday Aug 18, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- A study in the July 2012 issue of Journal of Heptatology suggests that drinking regular coffee, but not Espresso may help prevent liver fibrosis.

Researchers surveyed 195 severely obese European patients who had liver biopsies to diagnose non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis and found regular coffee consumption was lower in patients with significant fibrosis while espresso, caffeinated soft drinks, and chocolate was similar among patients in terms of the fibrosis level.

Specifically, consumption of regular coffee was associated with a 25 percent reduced risk of fibrosis. Among patients with non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis, the risk reduction was 141 percent.

On the other hand, consumption of espresso, but not regular cofee consumption was found higher in patients with lower high density lipoprotein, high triglycerides and metabolic syndrome.

The study was conducted by Rodophe Anty of Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1065, Team 8, “Hepatic Complications in Obesity”, Nice, F-06204 Cedex 3, France and colleagues.

Researchers concluded "Consumption of regular coffee but not espresso is an independent protective factor for liver fibrosis in severely obese European patients."

The study seemed to suggest that drinking espresso posed a risk for heart disease in the patients who were severely obese. However, severely obese patients may have had lower high density lipoprotein, high triglycerides and metabolic syndrome in the first place. And in this case, drinking espresso did not help as much as regular coffee. But from the study abstract, it is not clear what effect espresso may have on liver fibrosis.

Journal of Hepatology

Received 11 May 2012; received in revised form 28 June 2012; accepted 9 July 2012. published online 20 July 2012.

Corrected Proof

Article in Press
Regular coffee but not espresso drinking is protective against fibrosis in a cohort mainly composed of morbidly obese European women with NAFLD undergoing bariatric surgery

Background & Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of coffee and other caffeinated drinks on liver fibrosis of severely obese European patients.
Methods

A specific questionnaire exploring various types of coffee (regular filtrated coffee and espresso), caffeinated drinks, and chocolate was filled in by 195 severely obese patients. All patients had liver biopsies that were analyzed according to the NASH Clinical Research Network Scoring System. Univariate and multivariate analyses of significant fibrosis were performed.
Results

Caffeine came mainly from coffee-containing beverages (77.5%). Regular coffee and espresso were consumed in 30.8% and 50.2% of the patients, respectively. Regular coffee, espresso, and total caffeine consumption was similar between patients with and without NASH. While consumption of espresso, caffeinated soft drinks, and chocolate was similar among patients, with respect to the level of fibrosis, regular coffee consumption was lower in patients with significant fibrosis (F 2). According to logistic regression analysis, consumption of regular coffee was an independent protective factor for fibrosis (OR: 0.752 [0.578–0.980], p=0.035) in a model including level of AST (OR: 1.04 [1.004–1.076], p=0.029), presence of NASH (OR: 2.41 [1.007–5.782], p=0.048), presence of the metabolic syndrome (NS), and level of HOMA-IR (NS). Espresso, but not regular coffee consumption was higher in patients with lower HDL cholesterol level, higher triglyceride level, and the metabolic syndrome.

Conclusions
Consumption of regular coffee but not espresso is an independent protective factor for liver fibrosis in severely obese European patients

Of Interest - 2012

Is coffee good for the liver?
ISIC the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee©
14th May 2012

Questions patients ask

Q: Is coffee good for the liver?
A: Research suggests that regular, moderate coffee consumption can lower people’s risk of developing a range of liver diseases – including cancer, fibrosis (scar tissue that builds up within the liver) and cirrhosis (the result of a long-term build up of scar tissue within the liver).

Q: How many cups of coffee do I need to drink to see a benefit?
A: It is too early to make specific recommendations concerning the levels of coffee intake that may be beneficial for liver function. Research suggests that regular, moderate coffee consumption may be beneficial

1,2. However certain patients with specific conditions may need to limit their caffeine consumption. For example, pregnant women are advised to limit their caffeine intake to 200-300mg per day – the equivalent amount found in 2-3 regular cups of coffee.

Q: Are the benefits of coffee down to caffeine?
A: While research has suggested that caffeine may slow down the progression of liver fibrosis, alcoholic cirrhosis and liver cancer

3,4,5, the extent to which caffeine is implicated in the reduced risk of developing these diseases remains unclear. Research also suggests that other coffee constituents, including cafestol and kahweol6 (naturally occurring compounds found in the oily part of coffee), and antioxidants may have a beneficial effect on liver function.

Q: Is decaffeinated coffee as good as regular coffee?
A: Research suggests that caffeine might play a role in the relationship between coffee drinking and lower risk of liver disease; however, currently there are no published studies specifically investigating the effects of decaffeinated coffee on liver function.

Q: If I’m a coffee drinker, can I drink more alcohol without increasing my risk of liver disease?
A: No. All medical advice makes clear that excessive alcohol consumption is detrimental to health. Adults, who choose to consume alcohol, should be aware of the recommended advice for safe consumption. While scientific research suggests that coffee drinking may have a beneficial effect on liver function, the risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption are not counter balanced by coffee consumption.

Q: I’ve heard that the effects of alcohol on the liver can be different for women than for men. Is the same true for coffee?
A: Generally, the effect of coffee drinking does not differ between the sexes; however, some groups, such as pregnant women, smokers, or women taking hormone replacement therapy do metabolise caffeine at a different rate to those in the general population. Pregnant women are advised to limit their caffeine intake to 200-300mg per day – the equivalent amount found in 2-3 regular cups of coffee.

Q: Do all types of coffee have the same effect?
A: Studies investigating the relationship between coffee and liver function have demonstrated beneficial effects in various types of coffee preparation, including filtered, instant and espresso coffee.

Q: Is it safe for individuals with liver disease to drink coffee?
A: Yes, there is no evidence to suggest that moderate coffee drinking poses any dangers for individuals with liver disease. In fact, some studies suggest coffee may slow down the progression of liver disease in some patients.

Q: Does coffee have any benefits for individuals with liver disease?
A: Research has shown that individuals with liver disease who regularly drink moderate amounts of coffee tend to display a milder progression of the disease7,8.

Source and References 

2011

Coffee Drinking Improves Hepatitis C Treatment Response, Study Published in Gastroenterology
6/8/2011 6:37:19 AM

Advanced hepatitis C patients with chronic liver disease may benefit from drinking coffee during treatment, according to a new study in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute. Patients who received peginterferon plus ribavirin treatment and who drank three or more cups of coffee per day were two times more likely to respond to treatment than non-drinkers. "Coffee intake has been associated with a lower level of liver enzymes, reduced progression of chronic liver disease and reduced incidence of liver cancer," said Neal Freedman, PhD, MPH, of the National Cancer Institute and lead author of this study. "Although we observed an independent association between coffee intake and virologic response to treatment, this association needs replication in other studies."

Read at ScienceDaily