Big effect
Coffee linked to a significant drop in liver enzyme ALT in a large review — but the studies varied too much to pin down the exact benefit.
This finding adds weight to the idea that coffee may protect the liver in people with fatty liver disease, but the wide variation in study designs means we can't yet say how much coffee helps or who benefits most.
In a systematic review of 4,572 adults with MASLD, drinking coffee was associated with a significant reduction in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), a marker of liver damage. The same review also found improvements in other health markers like body weight and blood sugar. However, the studies were highly variable in their methods, so the results are promising but not conclusive. Adverse events were reported overall but not detailed for coffee specifically.
Where this fits in the evidence
This is among the first studies we've indexed on Coffee for Reduced Alanine Aminotransferase Level — treat it as an early signal until more research accumulates.
The study
- Systematic Review
- n = 4,572
- 2025-01-26
- Nutrients
- PubMed: 39940310
- DOI: 10.3390/nu17030453
- Full study breakdown →
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