A new study conducted by researchers from Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School found that tea and coffee can be a major contributing factor to a healthier liver.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease. According to available data, one-third of the American population is affected by this disorder. NAFLD is more prevalent in obese and diabetic people, with more than 25 percent of obese suffering from NAFLD.

A new study conducted by researchers from Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School found that a person's morning cup of tea or coffee does more than just perk him up for work. Tea and coffee actually help to reduce fatty liver in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

There is no medical treatment for this disease, except for exercise and a controlled diet. During the course of the study that was conducted on mice, researchers found that an extra intake of caffeine stimulated the metabolization of lipids stored in liver cells and decreased the fatty liver of mice that were fed a high-fat diet.  Study authors recommended up to four cups of caffeine daily to prevent and protect against the progression of NAFLD in humans.

"This is the first detailed study of the mechanism for caffeine action on lipids in liver and the results are very interesting," Paul Yen, M.D., associate professor said in a press release. "Coffee and tea are so commonly consumed and the notion that they may be therapeutic, especially since they have a reputation for being "bad" for health, is especially enlightening."

Though researchers did confirm that caffeine can help promote a healthier liver, the quantity of caffeine to be consumed plays a vital role. A recent study found that consumption of more than 4 cups of coffee daily increases early death risks in young adults.

"A study of more than 40,000 individuals found a statistically significant 21% increased mortality in those drinking more than 28 cups of coffee a week and death from all causes, with a greater than 50% increased mortality risk in both men and women younger than 55 years of age," Mayo Clinic Proceedings said in a news release.  "Investigators warn that younger people in particular may need to avoid heavy coffee consumption. No adverse effects were found in heavy coffee drinkers aged over 55."