We’ll start this discussion about the possible health benefits of coffee with the story of Kaldi’s (KAL-dee) dancing goats. The National Coffee Association says the discovery of coffee can be traced to Ethiopia more than 1,000 years ago when Kaldi the goatherd noticed his animals nibbling the red beans of an unknown tree. The beans left the goats dancing with energy — and unable to sleep that night. So goes the legend of coffee’s emergence.
Historians believe the tale is probably apocryphal. But true or not, the hot beverage has been a favored drink for centuries.
Enter the 21st century. British researchers are now saying coffee might do a lot more than keep you and your goats awake and alert. Those little red beans could be a boon for your liver.
Scientists tapped a massive database with information on nearly half a million Brits who were quizzed on their coffee habits. The health of these individuals was then followed for a median of almost 11 years. After crunching the numbers, the researchers found coffee consumption was associated with a significantly reduced risk of developing and dying from chronic liver disease. That’s compared with non-coffee drinkers. It didn’t matter what kind of coffee they drank. Ground or instant. Decaf or regular.
Indeed, drinking coffee was associated with a 49 percent reduced risk of death from chronic liver disease. Researchers controlled for things like smoking, diabetes and body mass index.
Those who drank three to four cups of ground coffee appeared to get the greatest benefit.
This will, of course, gladden the hearts of the six out of 10 Americans who drink coffee daily. We all tip our hats to those frolicking goats. Dance on.