From the Guidelines
Caffeine intake has a beneficial effect on the liver, with moderate consumption associated with improvements in liver damage and reduced liver-related clinical outcomes. For the liver, regular moderate caffeine intake may help protect against liver diseases including fatty liver disease, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer, as supported by the 2024 clinical practice guidelines on the management of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) 1. This protective effect occurs because caffeine reduces inflammation, inhibits collagen deposition in liver tissue, and may help metabolize fat more efficiently.
Regarding the gallbladder and pancreas, the current evidence does not provide a clear association between caffeine intake and their function. However, it is known that caffeine can stimulate contractions and increase bile production in the gallbladder, which may trigger pain in people with gallstones or gallbladder disease. For the pancreas, high caffeine consumption, especially when combined with alcohol or smoking, may exacerbate pancreatic inflammation in susceptible individuals. Those with existing pancreatic conditions like pancreatitis should limit caffeine intake.
Key points to consider:
- Moderate caffeine intake (about 2-3 cups of coffee daily or 200-300mg caffeine) may be beneficial for liver health.
- People with liver disease may generally benefit from moderate coffee consumption.
- Those with gallbladder or pancreatic issues should consider limiting caffeine intake based on their individual response, as high caffeine consumption may exacerbate existing conditions.
- The stimulant properties of caffeine also increase digestive acid production, which can indirectly affect all three organs by altering digestive processes, as noted in observational studies 1.
From the Research
Effect of Caffeine Intake on the Liver
- Caffeine intake may contribute to the prevention of inflammatory and oxidative stress-related diseases, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes 2
- However, the current evidence is mostly based on cross-sectional or observational studies, and randomized controlled studies are needed to identify a causality link between caffeine intake and liver health 2
Effect of Caffeine Intake on the Gallbladder
- There is no direct evidence on the effect of caffeine intake on the gallbladder
- However, studies on ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) suggest that it can dissolve gallstones and improve symptoms of gallstone disease 3, 4
- UDCA has been shown to be effective in reducing biliary pain and improving liver function indices in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis 3, 5
Effect of Caffeine Intake on the Pancreas
- There is no direct evidence on the effect of caffeine intake on the pancreas
- However, studies on UDCA suggest that it may have a beneficial effect on pancreatic function by improving bile acid secretion and reducing inflammation 5, 6
- UDCA has been shown to have cytoprotective, anti-apoptotic, membrane stabilizing, anti-oxidative, and immunomodulatory effects, which may be beneficial for pancreatic health 5, 6