A new study from researchers at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University in Los Angeles adds fresh evidence linking coffee consumption to liver health. The team, led by Dr. Hyunseok Kim and senior author Dr. Ju Dong Yang, tracked nearly 355,000 UK Biobank participants over a median of 13 years, none of whom had cirrhosis or liver cancer at enrollment.
Compared with non-drinkers, people who drank five or more cups of coffee daily showed a 32% lower risk of cirrhosis, a 47% lower risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, and a 42% lower risk of dying from liver disease. The strongest associations appeared at three to four cups a day, and follow-up analysis of liver MRI scans and blood protein markers backed up the pattern.
The researchers caution that, as an observational study, it cannot prove coffee prevents liver disease, and they don't recommend starting to drink coffee solely for liver protection. They also noted that adding sugar or artificial sweeteners to coffee was linked to higher markers of liver inflammation.
Source: Daily Coffee News