A recent study published in the journal Nutrients revealed caffeine and coffee′s polyphenols might help lessen the severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in persons with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are all closely associated with NAFLD, the most prevalent liver condition. It occurs when too much fat builds up in the liver, a condition that is becoming more frequent due to inadequate exercise and a poor diet. NAFLD can advance to liver cirrhosis, liver fibrosis, and other serious liver issues.

The study included 156 middle-aged males and females who willingly participated and were evaluated for correlations between coffee use and NAFLD features in adults with T2D using 24-hour urine screening and self-reported coffee intake data. They were all slightly obese, and 98 had type 2 diabetes.

The participants answered a questionnaire about their average usage of other beverages and foods high in caffeine, like chocolate. The researchers analyzed the urine samples of these participants for paraxanthine, theophylline, p-coumaric acid, trigonelline, and caffeic acid. They also evaluated the body measurements, collected and examined blood samples, and scanned their livers.

Results showed a correlation between caffeine consumption and lessened liver fibrosis in NAFLD and other chronic liver-related diseases. According to the researchers, their investigation is the first to show an association between lower levels of NAFLD in overweight adults with T2D and higher cumulative concentrations of caffeine and non-caffeine metabolites in urine.

(Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/coffee-naflad-liver-disease-in-type-2-diabetes)