Coffee can protect against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage

Carbon tetrachloride, formerly used as a dry cleaning solvent among other things, is extremely toxic to the liver. It is still used in scientific studies to evaluate the ability of an agent to protect to liver from toxic damage. This study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition investigated "the effects of a coffee preparation [Nescafe®!] on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and explored the possible mechanisms." The authors observed that "Upon pathological examination, a coffee preparation treatment significantly reduced liver damage and symptoms of liver fibrosis." The go on to conclude that "The coffee preparation may therefore be a potential functional food for preventing liver fibrosis."