Doctors Say This Everyday Drink Could Cut Liver Cancer Risk by Nearly 50%, New Study Finds

Key Points:

• A new study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology analyzed data from nearly 355,000 adults over 13 years, finding that drinking five or more cups of coffee daily was associated with a significantly lower risk of liver complications, including a 32% reduced risk of cirrhosis, 47% reduced risk of liver cancer, and 42% lower risk of liver-related death.
• Benefits were observed with both regular and decaffeinated coffee, and even smaller amounts of coffee daily were linked to improved liver health, including lower inflammation and better liver function markers.
• Experts attribute coffee's liver-protective effects to its complex mix of biologically active compounds such as chlorogenic acids, polyphenols, and diterpenes, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-scarring properties beyond caffeine.
• Previous large-scale studies have similarly found that coffee consumption lowers the risk of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular cancer, and moderate coffee intake is also associated with reduced risks of heart disease, heart failure, and stroke.
• While caffeine is not considered the main protective factor, decaffeinated coffee retains many beneficial compounds, making it a healthy option for those sensitive to caffeine; however, further research is needed to fully understand coffee’s effects on liver health.