Coffee holds a significance beyond just being a tasty beverage for many Koreans. Whether on busy days or leisurely moments, regardless of joy or sadness, many people turn to coffee. As coffee finds its place in daily life, its effects on health are being recognized. While in the past, the emphasis was on the harmful aspects of coffee due to its caffeine content, nowadays, there are claims that moderate coffee consumption can help prevent conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Particularly, experts suggest that coffee may have a positive impact on the liver.
Coffee is not only enjoyed for its taste but also known as a food with liver cancer prevention effects. It is said to be unique among foods with medical evidence to reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Coffee contains over 100 substances including carbohydrates, fats, and minerals, and experts analyze that these components interact to protect the liver. Especially, coffee rich in chlorogenic acid is known to exhibit antioxidant and anticancer effects. Furthermore, there are research findings suggesting that coffee consumption reduces the risk of liver fibrosis. In studies related to liver health, individuals who enjoy coffee had a lower risk of developing liver fibrosis, with particularly noticeable liver protection effects seen in those who consumed 2 to 3 cups of coffee daily.
However, coffee doesn't have a positive impact on everyone. Caffeine sensitivity varies from person to person, hence appropriate intake is necessary. According to the Korea Food & Drug Administration, the recommended daily caffeine intake for adults is below 400mg, and it's considered safe not to exceed 3 cups a day. Moreover, beverages like mixed coffee with high sugar content not only do not aid in liver cancer prevention but can also be a cause of non-alcoholic fatty liver. Therefore, it's important for liver health to maintain a moderate amount of coffee consumption rather than excessive intake.
It's important to emphasize that coffee is not just a simple beverage but a food that affects our health. Maintaining a balanced diet with various nutrients along with considering individual reactions to caffeine intake is crucial. Through this, one can build a healthy lifestyle with coffee.
