Great news for once! It seems like everything we love, from bacon to wine, is considered “bad for you.” So, I was excited to read that coffee may actually be good for us! A recent study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology examined coffee and liver health. Researchers found that drinking as little as one to two cups per day significantly lowered the risks of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver-related mortality compared with drinking no coffee.

And there is more good news! Researchers noted that coffee is widely available, affordable, and generally well tolerated. Because of this, they suggested that moderate, unsweetened coffee consumption could potentially offer a simple strategy for liver disease prevention. According to MedPage Today’s coverage of the study, researchers also saw benefits with decaffeinated coffee. That makes this even better news for those who are sensitive to caffeine!

Other research has connected coffee consumption with additional potential health benefits. These include a reduced risk of dementia, better cognitive function, and a lower risk of head and neck cancer. Research has also connected morning coffee consumption with a reduced risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. The study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology adds to the growing research surrounding coffee and liver health.

Not a coffee drinker? Unfortunately, researchers still do not know exactly “why” coffee may have these benefits. Could it be caffeine? Maybe, but before you grab that can of Coke, remember, the coffee in this study was unsweetened!

Bottom line, if you are that person who says, “Don’t talk to me before my morning coffee,” you are in business! Go enjoy a good cup of java, but don’t sweeten it. Maybe the researchers are right and it will help prevent disease, and maybe not. Either way, it might make you a happier person just the same!

Stay well and stay informed!