It appears its the coffee, not the caffeine, that's good for you, or for your liver anyway.
Previous studies have told us drinking coffee may lower the risk of heart disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia, type 2 diabetes and liver disease.
But before now, we didn't know much about why coffee lowered the risk of liver disease. It was unclear if it was the coffee or the caffeine that provided the benefits.
This week researchers from the National Cancer Institute released a study showing caffeine is not a factor in the drink's preventative benefits.
The study included more than 27,000 people and found people who drank three cups of coffee a day had healthier livers than those who did not, regardless if they drank decaf.
Researcher Dr. Qian Xiao said, "These data suggest that ingredients in coffee, other than caffeine, may promote liver health. Further studies are needed to identify these components."
And in addition to keeping you healthy, studies have even proven coffee can lead to a longer lifespan.
But, doctors across the board say moderation is key. An overabundance of coffee can lead to upset stomach, fast heartbeat, and insomnia.
This video includes images from Getty Images.
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