Coffee Drinkers Who Drink 2 Cups Per Day Have a 35% Reduced Risk of Liver Cancer

University of Edinburgh Professor Peter Hayes is a supporter of recent data collected that has “shown that coffee reduces cirrhosis and also liver cancer in a dose-dependent manner.

“Coffee has also been reported to reduce the risk of death from many other causes. Our research adds to the evidence that, in moderation, coffee can be a wonderful natural medicine,” according to the professor.

The Office for National Statistics has offered that in 2015, 4,673 new cases of liver cancer were diagnosed in England.  In particular, the researchers concluded that those consuming more coffee are less likely to manifest hepatocellular cancer (HCC), which is the most prevalent form of liver cancer.

In a cooperative effort, the Universities of Edinburgh and Southampton took information from 2.25 million people across twenty six research inquiries.

As recounted in the journal BMJ Open, when the studies contrasted people who drank no coffee with those who did, they had a lower risk of encountering HCC.  Two cup per day consumers had a 35 percent reduced risk and the chances were cut in half in those who drank five cups. Experts saw a protective aspect for decaffeinated coffee consumption, indicating that this was  “smaller and less certain than for caffeinated coffee.”

Study authors continued that, “It may be important for developing coffee as a lifestyle intervention in Chronic Liver Disease (CLD), as decaffeinated coffee might be more acceptable to those who do not drink coffee or who limit their coffee consumption because of caffeine-related symptoms.”

University of Southampton lead author Dr. Oliver Kennedy said, “coffee is widely believed to possess a range of health benefits, and these latest findings suggest it could have a significant effect on liver cancer risk.

“We’re not suggesting that everyone should start drinking five cups of coffee a day though. There needs to be more investigation into the potential harms of high coffee-caffeine intake, and there is evidence it should be avoided in certain groups such as pregnant women.

“Nevertheless, our findings are an important development given the increasing evidence of HCC globally and its poor prognosis,” Kennedy concluded.

In his response to the study, the chief executive of the British Liver Trust, Andrew Langford, indicated that, “this new study adds to the growing body of evidence showing that drinking coffee is good for liver health and can reduce your risk of developing liver cancer.

“However, by the time most people have the signs and symptoms of liver damage, it is often too late.  It’s therefore really important to reduce your risks of developing liver cancer and liver disease – not just by drinking coffee, but by reducing the amount of alcohol you drink, keeping to a healthy weight by exercising and eating well, and by avoiding the risks for viral hepatitis,” Langford continued.

“Most people develop liver cancer after first having liver disease, and you can find out if you are at risk of by taking the British Liver Trust’s online screener at www.loveyourliver.org.uk,” he directed.