Liver detoxification with liver “cleanses,” is a Myth. A New study says drinking at least 2 to 3 cups of coffee a day is linked to a healthier liver.
Does liver detoxification work?
According to the experts, liver detoxification by liver “cleanse,” supplements marketed to cleanse the liver and detoxify is not recommended due to lack of scientific evidence. It does not reverse damage from liver disease, overeating, heavy alcohol use or as a quick weight loss fix.
In recent years, products have flooded the market claiming to detoxify the liver when in fact may cause serious harm. Some “detox,” cleanses say they lower cholesterol but is not backed with science as seen on TikTok and other social media outlets.
If you think you need a liver detox, you should know there isn’t much it can do for you. Liver cleanses may suggest fasting or drinking only juices or other liquids or supplements and urge you to buy their products. Detoxs instead of helping may hurt your liver, for example, green tea extract can cause liver damage or hepatitis, and coffee enemas may lead to infections and problems with electrolytes like potassium, sodium, and magnesium.
Some detox programs encourage unpasteurized juices that may make you sick if you have a weakened immune system, and weight loss detox encourage low-calorie diets that may lead to weight gain once back on a regular diet. Supplements like milk thistle, and turmeric extract may help with inflammation in the liver but there is just not enough medical evidence to support its use.
How does the liver work to detoxify?
The liver is the largest solid organ in the body. It works to filter blood (more than 250 gallons a day), breaks down toxins, stores energy and cholesterol, and makes bile to help with digestion. Its job is to detoxify the body so the best way to detox the liver is to keep it healthy.
The best way to keep it healthy is to avoid infections of the liver called hepatitis, reduce liver toxins like alcohol, avoid unnecessary herbal supplements or cleanses, eat a Mediterranean diet, and keep a healthy weight as lowers the chance of getting fatty liver disease.
Can drinking coffee help detoxify the liver?
New study out of Cedar-Sinai says drinking coffee reduces liver injury like cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer, and even liver-related deaths. The results were also seen on blood tests and imaging of the liver. MRI scans showed lower amounts of fat and inflammation in people who drank coffee.
The study looked at over 350,000 adults. Drinking 5 or more cups of coffee a day showed a 32 % reduction in cirrhosis, 42 % less liver cancer, and 42 % lower risk of dying from liver failure. The benefit seen on blood tests and imaging of the liver further supports the link between coffee and better liver health.
The benefits were also in people who drank only 1 to 2 cups of coffee a day with better results at 3 to 4 cups a day. It’s interesting that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee showed the same results implying that caffeine itself is unlikely the only active compound “cleansing,” or making the liver healthy.
This is not to say drinking 5 cups of coffee a day is for everyone. Some people are sensitive to the side effects of caffeinated coffee like feeling jittery, anxiety, difficulty sleeping or insomnia. Harvard Health suggests no more than 400 mg of caffeinated coffee a day. This translates into 4 to 5 cups a day with some people getting side effects at even lower doses.
Any last advice on liver detoxification or coffee and liver health?
Liver disease is on the rise in the U.S. impacting 4.5 million people and is the 9th leading cause of death. This has led to an uptick in liver “cleanses,” marketed as remedies but to date none have shown to help, and some may even cause liver damage.
The good news is there is a healthy path to “detoxing,” a liver. This includes a Mediterranean diet, avoiding excessive alcohol (no more than 1 to 2 drinks a day), and keeping a healthy weight. Cleveland Clinic says not only is coffee beneficial but also green tea (not extract), olive oil and olives (yes, even straight out of the can), lean proteins like fish or chicken, vegetables and nuts that are rich in antioxidants and Vitamin E. Vegan options include lentils, and tofu.
Detoxification with “cleanses,” are a Myth. New study tells us Coffee can make a difference by cutting the risk of cirrhosis by a third and liver cancer almost in half. So, enjoy your favorite coffee brew, eat salad with olive oil and a touch of lemon, and drink alcohol but only in moderation. Your liver will thank you.
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