Coffee consumption linked to lower risk of liver disease and liver cancer

Large observational studies of hundreds of thousands of adults, primarily using data from the UK Biobank, have found that higher coffee intake is associated with substantially reduced liver‑related health risks. Participants who drank five or more cups of coffee per day showed about a 30%–50% lower risk of developing cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death from chronic liver disease compared with non‑drinkers. The benefit appears dose‑dependent, with the greatest risk reductions observed at three to five cups daily, and similar effects reported for both regular and decaffeinated coffee.

Researchers from Cedars‑Sinai Medical Center, including Dr. Hyunseok Kim, noted that "Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world, yet we are still learning how it influences long‑term health." The study also reported favorable changes in liver‑related blood proteins, supporting a biological basis for the protective effect. While the findings suggest that moderate coffee consumption may be beneficial for liver health, experts caution against using coffee as a sole preventive measure, recommending a balanced lifestyle that includes healthy weight, limited alcohol, regular exercise, and management of blood‑pressure and cholesterol.

These results add to growing evidence that coffee may have broad health benefits beyond its known stimulant properties.