Journal of Hepatology and Gastrointestinal disorders
Open Access

Abstract

Multiple Beneficial effects Associated with Coffee Consumption on Human Liver

Muhammad Saleem and Ayesha Latif

Coffee is widely consumed beverage in the world. Incidence of chronic liver disease decreases with intake of coffee.The main objective of this study is to elucidate the hepatoprotective as well as chemo protective effect of coffee consumption in relation to previous published data. Prospective cohort studies based on relationship between coffee intake and ultimate effects on liver cancer have drawn various conclusions. Coffee’s beneficial effects in various disease states have been demonstrated in variety of studies. Studies have provided data regarding effects of coffee in hot as well as in cold state. Level of blood cholesterol, following filtration, is affected by the coffee components. Among the components of coffee, caffeine played the significant role in reducing the level of ALT in coffee consumers as compared with non-coffee consumers. Coffee intake is associated with cardiovascular events and hypertension risks. However, intake of coffee has been found to be inversely related to the level of serum enzymes like gamma-glutamyltransferase, and alanine aminotransferase when studies relating to coffee effect on liver were performed in different countries. Moreover, the data based on epidemiological analysis, clearly suggested that liver cirrhosis had inverse relationship with coffee consumption; however, the results obtained were not sufficient to demonstrate that coffee may have hepatoprotective effect in liver injury. There is emerging evidence revealing that consumption of coffee has been associated with reduction of risks of various types of cancers. The emerging data on coffee consumption has revealed that it has beneficial effects in colorectal, pancreatic, and pharyngeal as well as in liver cancer. A systematic review was performed regarding association of coffee consumption and effect of coffee intake on liver diseases like hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), viral hepatitis, cirrhosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Coffee consumption, in dose dependent manner, was found to improve the level of serum gamma-glutamyltransferase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in individuals which were found to be at risk of liver diseases. Anticancer effect of coffee on liver is achieved by induction as well as inhibition of specific enzymes. The patients with history of chronic liver disease who consume coffee, were reported to be at a reduced risk of liver to be cirrhotic, and a decreased mortality rate was observed in cirrhosis patients, as well as a decreased rate of development of Hepatocellular carcinoma was observed. In individuals with history of chronic hepatitis C, coffee intake was found to be associated with enhanced virologic reaction to antiviral drug therapy. Furthermore, coffee intake was reported to be inversely associated with the severeness of steatohepatitis in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disorder. Therefore, in patients with chronic liver disease, coffee consumption on daily basis should be persuaded.