Okay, we know it’s technically a beverage, but we’re putting this one first.
“The only food where there is clear evidence for a beneficial impact on your liver is coffee,” says Bansal. “Coffee consumption is associated with improvement in liver enzymes, especially in individuals with risk for liver disease.”
Those with pre-existing liver disease have shown improvements in incidence rates of fibrosis and cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer, and overall mortality when given three or more cups of coffee per day, she says. Interestingly, scientists do not completely understand what exact components of coffee are conferring the benefit since there are numerous compounds in coffee, but it is thought to be the combination.
Ideally, you should drink black caffeinated coffee to avoid the excess calories that come from cream and sugar, Bansal says. It’s worth noting that decaffeinated coffee does not confer the same benefit as regular coffee, but there is no clear evidence that caffeine is the driver of the benefits. Don’t get any ideas, though—caffeine supplements are not going to provide the same effect.
Not a coffee drinker? Black tea may prove helpful for liver health too, though it might not be to the same effect, Bansal says. “So if you have a choice, drink coffee. If you cannot drink coffee then black tea may have some benefit albeit much smaller.”
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