There have been multiple studies finding a link between coffee consumption and liver health, including reducing liver stiffness and decreasing chances of liver disease. Still, it’s always nice to check your work. Which is exactly what a new meta-study has done. It found that coffee protects against liver cancer, cirrhosis, and liver-related death, and the effect appears to be linear.
As reported by CNN, the study was published recently in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. For it, they examined data collected from more than 354,000 individuals who were followed for over a decade as part of the UK Biobank, looking specifically for instances of liver disease in the form of cirrhosis—”permanent liver scarring and damage that can result from several long-term liver diseases, including fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease and more”—the most common form of liver cancer known as hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as instances of liver-related deaths. Cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma collectively account for an estimated two million deaths annually.
When cross-referencing instances of the three markers with self-reported coffee intake, the researchers found a significant trend. The more coffee consumed the more the liver protection.
At the lower levels, one to two cups daily, there was an association with a 20% decreased risk in cirrhosis, a 24% decreased risk in liver cancer, and 31% decrease in the risk of any type of liver-related death. At three to four cups, those numbers go up to 35%, 35%, and 41%, respectively. At five to six cups, though, the numbers top out at 32%, 47%, and 42%.
Researchers found similar effects for decaf coffee as well, suggesting that caffeine is not the primary cause. They also noted that sweetened coffee and coffee with sugar substitutes also exhibited a protective effect on the liver, though at a slightly decreased level, which they believe is due to sweeteners resulting in elevated levels of liver inflammation.
Consider this like your annual check-up. The doctors have given it a look, and yep, coffee is still good for you liver. Drink away. See you next year.
Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
