Coffee and tomatoes... new surprises about liver health

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The factors affecting liver health do not stop at obesity, high cholesterol, and alcohol consumption, as scientists are constantly investigating the role of daily foods and environmental pollutants in causing liver diseases or reducing their risks.

A report published by the "Medical News Today" website reviewed the results of three recent research studies that addressed the relationship between coffee, tomatoes, and liver health, in addition to the potential effects of microplastic particles.

A study published in July in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that higher coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of liver cirrhosis and cancer.

The results showed that people who drank five or more cups of coffee a day had a 32% reduction in the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer by about 50%, compared to non-coffee consumers.

Co-researcher Hyunsuk Kim, a specialist in liver disease and transplantation at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said the results strengthen the evidence that coffee consumption is linked to liver health in the long term. However, the study is observational, and does not prove that coffee alone directly causes the reduced risk.

In a study published in the journal Nutrients in July, scientists investigated the effect of eating tomatoes in people with fatty liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction.

The study included 79 adults. One group ate 200 grams of fresh tomatoes and 50 grams of tomato sauce daily for six weeks, while the other group followed a tomato-free diet. Both groups recorded a decrease in liver fat, but the improvement was greater in the group that ate tomatoes.

Despite this result, Dr. Randa Abdel Masih, an endocrinologist and obesity specialist, warned against exaggerating its interpretation, explaining that the study did not record a significant improvement in other indicators, such as liver hardness, fibrosis, and liver enzymes. Therefore, additional studies are still needed to determine the clinical significance of these findings.

On the other hand, a study published in June in the journal Science Advances raised questions about the effect of microplastics on the liver. They are particles less than five millimeters in size, and may enter the body through various sources.

Experiments on mice showed that exposure to polyethylene, used in the manufacture of many plastic products, was associated with liver problems and exacerbated liver damage in animals with steatohepatitis associated with the metabolic disorder.

But these results do not prove that the same effect occurs in humans. Dr. Opel Becker stressed the need to conduct more human studies before microplastic particles are considered a direct cause of liver disease.

Research suggests promising possibilities about the role of coffee and tomatoes in supporting liver health, versus concerns that need more research about plastic pollutants. But it does not justify relying on a specific food to prevent disease or considering exposure to plastic as evidence of disease.

Maintaining a healthy weight, following a balanced diet, and seeing a doctor when needed are important steps to reduce the risk of liver disease.