Protective Role of Coffee in Chronic Liver Disease: A Focus on Processing

Abstract

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, necessitating effective preventive strategies. Growing evidence is linking coffee consumption with reduced risk of disease progression in various CLDs, including metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), alcoholic liver disease, hepatitis B and C, autoimmune hepatitis, and a reduction in the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma development. Coffee, a globally consumed beverage, contains bioactive compounds like caffeine, chlorogenic acids, diterpenes, and polyphenols, which may offer hepatoprotective benefits through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and metabolic regulatory effects. This narrative review discusses the current evidence demonstrating an inverse correlation between regular coffee intake and CLD progression, highlighting dose-dependent benefits with optimal consumption at three to four cups per day. Potential mechanisms for hepatoprotective effects of coffee involve modulation of the gut-liver axis, epigenetic regulation, and improving liver transaminitis. Additionally, the current review explores the effects of different coffee processing methods, such as roasting levels and brewing techniques, on these protective properties. Coffee's role as an affordable, culturally accepted intervention to mitigate the burden of CLD offers a compelling avenue for future public health strategies. Despite promising evidence, there is a need for further proof to establish the most beneficial coffee preparation methods.