A new study has claimed that consuming nearly six cups of espresso coffee every day could help in reversing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This is a medical condition that causes liver scarring.

The study was conducted on mice. It showed that the daily dose of coffee showed improvement in key markers of NAFLD in mice fed with high-fat diet. The daily coffee dose is equivalent to six cups of espresso coffee for a person with 70kg weight. It was shown that the mice even gained less weight compared to others fed with similar diet, except the caffeine dose.

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According to scientists from the University of Napoli in Italy, coffee protects against NAFLD. The researchers show that the increasing levels of a protein called Zonulin (ZO)-1, reduces the gut permeability. Experts believe that increased gut permeability is linked to liver injury, worsening NAFLD.

NAFLD develop scars in the liver of the patients. It is even called fibrosis. It can progress to cirrhosis, a potentially life-threatening condition.

Vincenzo Lembo from the University of Napoli said, “Previous studies have confirmed how coffee can reverse the damage of NAFLD but this is the first to demonstrate that it can influence the permeability of the intestine.”

“The results also show that coffee can reverse NAFLD-related problems such as ballooning degeneration, a form of liver cell degeneration,” Mr. Lembo added.

As per the results from the study, coffee supplementation could cause variations in the intestinal tight junctions, which actually regulate the permeability of the intestine.

- Sumana