LUCKNOW: A coffee a day can help in keeping non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The study published in international journal Hepatology has concluded that caffeine helps in reducing the fat (lipid) content on the liver. The study was undertaken by Rohit Sinha, a PhD scholar from Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, who is now a senior research fellow at Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore. The team was led by Prof Paul Yen.NAFLD (Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is accumulation of fat on the liver that makes it hard. Statistics say that nearly 25%-30% of the urban population in India has a fatty liver while about 1/3rd of people with fatty liver develop inflammation. North Indians face this problem more than south Indians.Professor Gaur Chaudhury, a Lucknow-based gastrophysician explained that initially NAFLD is a benign condition that does not affect liver functions.However, when the fat stores in the body reach optimal level and the body continues to receive excess fat, then the stores start throwing out fatty acids into the liver. In the initial stage fat accumulates in the liver but may not affect liver.Experts warn against NAFLD because of its silent nature. Consequences of a fatty liver are not immediately visible. But, when it does, it can be really serious. The problem occurs mostly in middle-ages, but a poor lifestyle can set it off much earlier. And if left untreated for long, it can lead to the most extreme form of NAFLD and can cause cirrhosis of the liver. He added that nearly 70% people with NASH are obese It is an important marker for diabetes, other metabolic diseasesMetabolic disorders like diabetes, hypertension and obesity increase the risk of NAFLD. Weight gain, especially around the waist, is one of the main causes of fatty liver . Over-dependence on junk food and sedentary lifestyle make matters worse. While there is no medication to effectively cure fatty liver, the only panacea is a healthy lifestyle, as NAFLD is a reversible problem."Skipping meals is a crime against the liver. In this way, humans simply abuse their body. The reason: when eating time is pushed, people just gobble what comes their way. Fast foods come as a handy option. And erratic eating time also means an intake that could be higher than usual. Together these factors lead to fat accumulation on the liver," said Prof Abhijit Chandra, head of gastroenterology department, King George's medical university.Doctors say most cases of fatty liver are diagnosed accidentally, but insist that people with poor lipid profile, diabetes, hypertension and obesity should opt for regular check-ups. A poor lipid profile result is indication enough to get a liver function test done, especially for those who are middle-aged. Diabetes also slows down liver functioning as it is not able to burn sugar. In another dangerous trend, NAFLD is now being found in children as well. Obesity in growing children is to be blamed for this, doctors said.Experts say that initially, there are no significant symptoms. Some non-specific symptoms may include fatigue, malaise, lethargy, dull ache in the upper right abdomen. However in the advance stages, NAFLD may cause lack of appetite, nausea, weight loss, weakness, fatigue, yellowing of skin and eyes, and swelling in legs and feet.