Here’s some good news for us coffee lovers: According to a new study, drinking more than three cups of caffeinated coffee a day can lead to fewer liver problems. The study gathered data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which recorded what people typically ate and drank. This study is likely the most rigorous on the benefits of coffee on liver health in the United States, and the results are a treat for those who enjoy multiple cups of coffee daily.

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"This is the closest we’re ever going to get to a linkage between what people are eating or drinking and the health of their liver," said Elliot Tapper, MD, the study’s senior author and an assistant professor of gastroenterology at the University of Michigan.

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The researchers looked at data from over 4,500 patients who participated in the survey from 2017-2018. Each of the participants was 20 years or older, with the average age being 48, and 73% were overweight, which is the national average. When the researchers went over the data, they found no connection between coffee consumption and the measure of fatty liver, but they did find a link between coffee and liver stiffness. Liver stiffness is a sign of liver fibrosis and can lead to cirrhosis. The study showed that participants who drank three cups of coffee daily had lower liver stiffness.

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Some hepatologists worldwide believe coffee to be a natural remedy and find this data reassuring when recommending coffee to their patients. These studies are ongoing, but more and more of them are finding similar conclusions. For instance, another study run by Nathan Davies, a Ph.D. professor of biochemistry at the Institute of the Liver and Digestive Health at the University College London based in the U.K, found that coffee appeared to protect against chronic liver disease.

"Looking at a snapshot moment does not necessarily reflect an individual's behavior during the onset and development of their condition," Davies said. "As such, there are a number of behavioral and nutritional factors that could be contributing to the observed effect over a period of years."

We love to read and share these new findings with you because coffee is so much more than a delicious drink to jump-start our mornings. It's a lifestyle. That's why we work hard to make sure every batch of SunriseCoffeeLA is a special treat you and your body can enjoy and feel good about.