How Coffee Affects Your Liver and Kidneys: Benefits, Risks & Daily Use

Coffee is saving people’s mornings one sip at a time. Whether brewed in a French press or taken as a shot of espresso, getting coffee is more than a morning ritual; it’s a lifestyle. But beyond acting as a cure-all for your Monday blues, there is a growing curiosity about its impact on our health.

The big question in this scenario is: Is black coffee good for your liver and kidneys? The answer to this is not black and white, pun intended. While there are many benefits associated with coffee consumption, individual factors and habits also significantly influence how coffee affects the body.

This article will help you understand how coffee affects liver and kidney health and provide recommendations for specific types of coffee. Coffee can make your day, but your health is in your hands.

The liver and kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining the proper functioning of the human body. Understanding their roles will help us truly gauge the effect of coffee on our bodies.

Good news for coffee lovers is that research suggests drinking black coffee is excellent for improving liver health. It also reduces the risk of liver cirrhosis and other liver diseases, especially in those at risk due to obesity, diabetes, or alcohol use.

Another study discovered that black coffee is beneficial for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Coffee contains high levels of antioxidants, particularly polyphenols and chlorogenic acids, which help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the liver.

The antioxidants neutralise any radicals that damage the liver, which in turn reduces liver inflammation and leads to improved liver enzyme regulation, ultimately enhancing liver function.

Although coffee has numerous benefits, it's important to consider the type of coffee you’re drinking. Many people have the question if milk coffee is any good for fatty liver, but the truth is that anything, when taken in moderation, will not do you any harm.

In this case, a splash of milk in your coffee will not kill you, but at the same time, adding excess sugar, syrups, creamers, or additives is not suitable for your health. Hence, stick to plain old black coffee to ensure long-term health benefits.

Coffee and Kidney health are very much linked. In general, moderate coffee intake does not harm healthy kidneys and may even be beneficial. For example, people who drink coffee are less likely to develop kidney stones.

This is because caffeine can increase urine output, which has the effect of diluting calcium and oxalate, which contribute to stone formation. Coffee also has compounds that prevent crystal formation, further reducing the risk.

That being said, there are still concerns about the negative impact of coffee as it is a diuretic and also affects blood pressure. Although caffeine raises blood pressure, the effect is mild and only lasts for a short period.

Moreover, people with hypertension or chronic kidney disease (CKD) should be cautious while consuming coffee. In such cases, caffeine can worsen the problems. Consult your doctor before incorporating coffee into your routine.

When it comes to the protein content in black coffee, it is insignificant, meaning it's less than one gram per cup, and therefore a negligible factor to consider in kidney health matters.

Coffee is a gift to humankind, according to coffee lovers, but with various types of coffee available on the market, choosing one can be a difficult task. Here is a list of coffees that are beneficial for your health:

Espresso:

• Highly concentrated antioxidants and compounds
• Typically consumed without additives

Filter coffee:

• Retains most beneficial compounds
• Paper filters may remove diterpenes, such as cafestol, which can raise cholesterol levels.
• Often consumed black or with minimal additions.

Black coffee:

• Free from added sugars, syrups, and cream
• Has low calories
• Preserves coffee’s natural health benefits

The quality of coffee beans also matters as much as the type of coffee you’re consuming. Despite being expensive, high-quality coffee beans offer a better nutritional and flavour profile, along with reduced exposure to pesticides.

So, is black coffee good for the liver and kidneys? It depends; for an average, healthy individual, caffeine can work wonders, but it must be consumed in moderation. When you drink it in moderation and keep it black, it can reduce the risk of fatty liver, facilitate the body's detoxification, and possibly even prevent cirrhosis and liver cancer.

It is a bit complicated when it comes to your kidneys, but it can still do more good than harm. Coffee can lower the chance of getting kidney stones, but it is definitely not recommended for people suffering from CKD or other kidney diseases.

Some key points to remember before downing that cup of caffeinated goodness are to limit your intake to two to four cups per day, avoid sugary syrups and heavy creams, and listen to your body.

Each person has their coffee ritual - what is yours? Additionally, if you have any doubts about how your favourite brew fits into your health plan, discuss the situation briefly with your doctor or nurse