Coffee May Help Those With Hepatitis C

Tue, Aug 18, 15 by Jim Couch

A study published in June in Gastroenterology reported that coffee drinking is associated with improved responses to Hepatitis C therapy.  Drinking three or more cups of coffee per day increased the chances of an improved response by 80%. 

It was already known that coffee is associated with lower levels of liver enzymes and a slower progression of pre-existing liver disease.  Over the 72 weeks of this study, patients who drank more than three cups of coffee per day were significantly more likely than non-coffee drinkers to have a positive treatment response at all points throughout the course of the study. 

While it doesn’t seem the same effects were found with the consumption of tea, caffeine is believed to be a factor in the response.  Researchers wrote future studies are needed to replicate findings in other populations.