For many people, black coffee is the go-to morning pick-me-up. But could this beloved beverage do more than just wake you up? Emerging research suggests that black coffee might help reduce fat accumulation around the liver, a key factor in conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Link Between Coffee And Liver Health

The liver plays a crucial role in filtering toxins, processing nutrients, and regulating metabolism. However, excessive fat deposits around the liver can impair its function, increasing the risk of inflammation, insulin resistance, and even liver disease.

Recent studies indicate that coffee, particularly black coffee, may offer protective benefits. The magic lies in its rich composition of bioactive compounds, including caffeine, chlorogenic acid, and polyphenols. These compounds are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help combat fat buildup in the liver.

What Research Says

Several studies have examined the effects of coffee on liver fat. A 2021 study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that individuals who consumed more than three cups of coffee daily had lower liver fat levels compared to non-coffee drinkers. Researchers believe this is due to coffee’s ability to enhance fat metabolism and reduce oxidative stress in liver cells.

Another study, conducted by researchers from the University of Naples, suggested that caffeine stimulates the breakdown of lipids (fat molecules), potentially preventing fat accumulation in the liver. Additionally, chlorogenic acid—one of coffee’s key antioxidants—has been found to reduce insulin resistance, a major contributor to fatty liver disease.

How Black Coffee Helps Melt Liver Fat

Unlike sugar-laden coffee drinks, plain black coffee is free of added calories and unhealthy fats. Here’s how it might contribute to a healthier liver:

Boosts Metabolism: Caffeine is a natural stimulant that increases metabolic rate, promoting fat burning.

Reduces Inflammation: Coffee’s antioxidants help lower liver inflammation, which is a major factor in the progression of liver diseases.

Improves Insulin Sensitivity: Better insulin regulation means less fat storage in the liver.

Prevents Liver Fibrosis: Some studies suggest that coffee consumption reduces liver stiffness, lowering the risk of fibrosis and cirrhosis.

How Much Coffee Should You Drink?

Moderation is key. Experts suggest that drinking 2–4 cups of black coffee per day may offer liver-protective benefits without causing negative effects like jitteriness, acid reflux, or disrupted sleep. However, those with caffeine sensitivity or certain health conditions should consult a doctor before increasing their intake.

While black coffee alone won’t magically melt away liver fat, it can be a valuable addition to a healthy lifestyle. Pairing it with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding excessive alcohol and processed foods is essential for long-term liver health.

More than 70 percent of infant and toddler food products, including drinks and snacks, sold in the United States are ultra-processed and also contain additives that are associated with several health problems, according to a new study.

The study comes as the Donald Trump-led US government recently released updated dietary guidelines for Americans. For the first time, the recommendations urge citizens to avoid highly processed foods and also suggest limiting added sugars and refined carbohydrates.

The February 2026 study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrients analyzed 651 food products sold by the top 10 largest US grocery stores for children aged 6 months to 36 months.

The results showed that a whopping 71 percent of products were ultra-processed foods (UPFs) -- containing higher mean levels of total sugar, added sugar, sodium, and energy density than non-UPF products.

The food products also contained significantly harmful additives. Flavor enhancers (36 percent) were the most common additive, followed by thickeners (29 percent), emulsifiers (19 percent), and colors (19 percent).

The study showed that all snack-size packaged products (94 percent) were ultra-processed, followed by full-size packages (86 percent) and pouches (73 percent).

"We’re seeing a growing body of evidence that certain additives may harm health. With emulsifiers, thickeners, and stabilizers potentially altering gut function, and synthetic colors affecting behavioral outcomes in children, the high use of cosmetic additives found in US baby foods is particularly concerning,” said Dr. Elizabeth Dunford, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, US.

Notably, the sugar content was greatest for snack and finger foods, with the amount of sugar and added sugars twice that of their non-UPF counterparts. Similarly, the sodium content was also consistently higher among UPFs than non-UPFs.

Almost all snack-size packaged products (94 percent) were ultra-processed, followed by full-size packages (86 percent) and pouches (73 percent).

The researchers called for improving labeling and regulatory standards for identifying UPF ingredients and additives to ensure the availability of appropriate and healthy products targeting the youngest consumers.

Why UPFs Are Harmful

In recent years, there has been a huge increase in the availability and variety of commercial complementary foods on the market in the US, as well as in India.

Research has shown a corresponding increase in several noncommunicable diseases.

Studies have established health risks of regular consumption of UPFs for adults and young children, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and heart disease. In adults, UPF consumption is also linked with irritable bowel syndrome, depression, and premature death.

UPF And Rising NCD Burden In India

India is facing a significant rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and heart disease, among others.

The Economic Survey, recently tabled in the Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, flagged the concerning trend, which it attributed to unhealthy diets, lifestyle changes, including sedentary lifestyles, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), and environmental factors.

“India is one of the fastest-growing markets for UPF sales. It grew by more than 150 per cent from 2009 to 2023. Retail sales of UPFs in India surged from $0.9 billion in 2006 to nearly $38 billion in 2019, a 40-fold rise. It is during the same period that obesity has nearly doubled in both men and women,” it said.

“The rising use of UPFs imposes a substantial economic cost through higher healthcare spending, lost productivity, and long-term fiscal strain,” it added.

Thanks to social media, health tips are now everywhere. They seem easy to follow, include almost nothing but home ingredients, but are they really beneficial and safe to use? Health and Me ran a fact check on TikTok's trending chlorophyl and collagen supplements. Two of the biggest players in the wellness industry.

TikTok videos show celebrities and influencers sipping the green shots of chlorophyll with blended collagen into coffee. This is what is packaged as a shortcut to health and beauty.

Fact Check: The Formula To Stay Young - Does It Really Work?

Chlorophyll is the pigment found in plants that makes them green. In biology lab, it's recalled as fueling photosynthesis—to capture light energy to create glucose and oxygen. In plants, it's vital. In humans, things aren't quite as simple.

Wellness brands and influencers, from Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop to Kourtney Kardashian Barker's Poosh, have made drinking chlorophyll water a daily habit. Marketing promises range from detoxification to more radiant skin and even "oxygenating the blood." The concept sounds alluring—except that it can't be done biologically.

As physician and researcher Ben Goldacre points out, photosynthesis requires sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. Our gut and bloodstream aren’t flooded with sunlight, so chlorophyll simply can’t perform its plant-like function inside humans. Drinking it won’t generate oxygen in your body.

Fact Check: What Is The TikTok Trend?

The type most commonly employed in supplements is chlorophyllin, a semi-synthetic, water-soluble derivative of chlorophyll. Several small, older studies indicate that it might decrease odors in wounds or stool, possibly by breaking down some compounds or stopping bacteria from growing. There's weak evidence that it might act as an antioxidant, roaming free radicals causing cell destruction, but studies are few and far from convincing.

More promising are investigations into its application in wound healing. Chlorophyll dressings have been studied for their potential to speed up healing and deodorize infected wounds. But consuming it for beauty or detoxing purposes is something else—clinical evidence for those uses is scant.

Fact Check: Is This Trend Safe?

Potential Risks and Side Effects of Chlorophyll

Most individuals are able to tolerate chlorophyll, but it is not risk-free. Side effects reported include diarrhea, cramps in the stomach, and colored urine, stool, or even tongue. Mild itching or burning with topical use can be produced in occasional instances. The U.S. National Library of Medicine states that chlorophyll is non-poisonous in normal doses, but in high doses it can produce gastrointestinal upset.

What this actually translates to is that while chlorophyll won't hurt you in moderation, it's also unlikely to bring the extreme makeovers promised on TikTok.

Collagen

Collagen differs from chlorophyll in that it's something that humans naturally create. It's the body's most common protein and what builds scaffolding for skin, bones, cartilage, blood vessels, and connective tissue. It's responsible for skin elasticity and flexibility of joints.

Collagen production inherently decreases with age, resulting in wrinkles, stiff joints, and less resilient connective tissue. This loss has propelled a billion-dollar collagen market, with powders, pills, and creams touted as a means to "replenish" what the body is losing.

What Science Says About Collagen Supplements

Collagen supplementation research is further advanced than chlorophyll's, although it's not yet conclusive. Some research indicates oral collagen peptides can moderately enhance skin hydration, elasticity, and fine lines. There's also support that they might be good for joint health, mitigate exercise-induced joint pain, and increase bone density in the elderly.

But science doesn't go so far as to make miracle promises. Collagen won't cause weight loss, detox the body, or stop cardiovascular disease, no matter what ads might promise.

Topical Collagen

Collagen creams and serums inundate the beauty market, but it's hard to find one that works. Collagen molecules are too big to pass through the skin barrier, so most topical products can't really increase collagen where it counts. At best, they offer surface moisture and temporary plumping.

Supporting Natural Collagen Production

The body synthesizes collagen from amino acids, so consuming sufficient protein-containing foods—chicken, fish, eggs, beans, and bone broth—is still the best method to supply it. Vitamin C, zinc, and copper are also necessary cofactors for collagen production. Having a well-nourished diet and staying away from excessive sunlight exposure and smoking might preserve your natural reserves better than any costly powder.

Why TikTok Supplements Feel So Convincing?

One of the reasons supplements such as chlorophyll and collagen do so well online is that they provide instant, tangible rituals. Adding green drops to water or spilling white powder into a latte gives one a feeling of agency and pampering. When influencers couple such rituals with radiant skin or lean bodies, it's simple to think that the supplement is the magic bullet—when genetics, diet, and lifestyle actually have so much more to do with it.

Social media exaggerates anecdotal accounts, frequently beating what the evidence will allow. And although both collagen and chlorophyll might have specialized advantages, they are not cure-alls or substitutes for healthy living.

What Consumers Should Know?

Experts always recommend taking supplement fads with a grain of salt. The evidence for chlorophyll remains limited, with only mild effects in very particular medical contexts such as wound healing. Collagen is more robust, especially for joints and skin, but the effects are modest compared to what is claimed in the marketplace.

Supplements must be used to complement, and not substitute, a diet of balanced nutrition, exercise, and sleep. For beauty and health in the long run, consuming a diet that has high quantities of fruits, vegetables, protein, and micronutrients is a much better way than consuming any one powder or extract.

Is Chlorophyll Drink Worth the Hype?

Chlorophyll won't make you a detoxed, glowing version of yourself any more than photosynthesis will function in your blood. Collagen supplements might be helpful, particularly for skin and joints, but they're no miracle cure themselves.

For the time being, consider these TikTok staples as add-ons, not requirements. If drinking a chlorophyll latte makes you happy or sprinkling collagen powder makes you eat more protein, that's okay. Just be aware that the glow-up is much more likely to be the result of regular healthy habits and not an online-viral supplement.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical professional advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting supplements, treatment, or altering your health regimen.

Intermittent fasting has built a reputation as a modern shortcut to weight loss. Social media, wellness blogs, and celebrity endorsements have helped position it as more effective than simply eating less. But a large scientific review now suggests the reality is far less dramatic.

Researchers analyzing global evidence found fasting plans do not outperform conventional calorie controlled diets. In fact, the results were only slightly better than not dieting at all.

The analysis examined 22 studies involving adults who were overweight or living with obesity. Participants followed different fasting approaches including alternate day fasting, the 5:2 diet, and time restricted eating. Across the board, weight loss outcomes closely matched traditional dietary advice.

Lead author Dr Luis Garegnani told the Guardian, “Intermittent fasting is not a miracle solution, but it can be one option among several for weight management.” He added, “It likely yields results similar to traditional dietary approaches for weight loss. It doesn’t appear clearly better, but it’s not worse either.”

Weight Loss Results Were Modest

Participants who followed fasting routines lost about 3 percent of their body weight. Doctors generally consider 5 percent loss clinically meaningful for improving health markers like blood pressure and diabetes risk.

This means most people in the trials did not reach the level where measurable health benefits usually begin.

The review also noted the studies were short term, lasting up to 12 months. So while fasting did produce some reduction, the scale of change remained modest.

Surprisingly, the research found little evidence that fasting improved quality of life more than other diets. Researchers also pointed out that none of the studies actually asked participants how satisfied they were with fasting routines.

Garegnani told the Guardian that many fasting studies are short and often inconsistent in design, making firm conclusions difficult. Given how widely fasting is promoted, he said clarifying expectations is important.

Why Fasting Became Popular

Intermittent fasting involves limiting eating to specific hours or skipping food on certain days. Supporters claim it can boost metabolism, improve brain function, and slow ageing.

Some biological theories do support potential benefits. Dr Zhila Semnani Azad from the National University of Singapore explained that metabolism follows circadian rhythms, and fasting may influence how the body uses fat. Research in animals suggests fasting can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation. It may also trigger autophagy, a cellular recycling process linked to ageing.

However, she noted that there is no universal definition of intermittent fasting, which makes comparing studies difficult.

The Body Adapts Quickly

Professor Maik Pietzner from the Berlin Institute of Health said the limited weight loss was not entirely surprising. He explained that people often become less physically active during fasting periods, which may offset calorie reduction.

He told the Guardian, “If people feel better on such diet regimens, I wouldn’t stop them, but there’s no robust evidence for positive effects beyond a possible moderate weight loss.”

His research also shows the body tolerates food scarcity very well. Even complete fasting for short periods causes only minor biological changes.

What This Means For Dieting

The findings suggest intermittent fasting is not harmful for most people but it is not superior either. Traditional balanced diets remain just as effective for weight management.

In simple terms, fasting works mainly because people eat fewer calories, not because it triggers a special fat burning state.

For those who enjoy structured eating windows, fasting may still be a practical lifestyle choice. But the study reinforces a clear message. Sustainable habits matter more than trendy diet patterns, and no eating schedule replaces long term consistency.