Drinking 3 to 4 Cups of Coffee a Day Could Cut Risk of Liver Cancer, Study Says

According to a new study, drinking three to four cups of coffee each day may lower your risk of liver cancer and other alcohol-related liver illnesses.

Over 11 years, researchers studied the coffee habits of more than 494,000 people in the UK Biobank, a biological database.

Participants varied from 40 to 69 years old, with 384,818 claiming to be regular coffee drinkers and 109,767 claiming to be non-coffee drinkers. People who consumed ground caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee experienced the highest advantages. However, instant coffee users observed a modest risk decrease as well.

Researchers published their study, titled "All Coffee Types Decrease the Risk of Adverse Clinical Outcomes in Chronic Liver Disease: A UK Biobank Study," in the peer-reviewed journal BMC Public Health.

National Coffee Day Celebrates 100 Million US Coffee Drinkers

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MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 29: An espresso coffee is seen at Eternity Coffee Roasters during National Coffee Day on September 29, 2014 in Miami, Florida. The day is for coffee drinkers to celebrate and enjoy the popular beverage which 50% of the population, equivalent to 150 million Americans, drink espresso, cappuccino, latte, or iced/cold coffees.

ALSO READ: Coffee Lovers Beware: Too Much Caffeine Could Damage Your Health

Coffee Drinkers Likely To Die Of Chronic Liver Disease

Coffee drinkers were 21% less likely to develop chronic liver disease, 20% less likely to develop chronic or fatty liver disease, and 49% less likely to die of chronic liver disease than non-coffee drinkers.

Study author Prof. Paul Roderick of the University of Southampton claimed the research did not conclusively establish that coffee is the primary cause of liver illness and cancer prevention.

"It does, however, raise the issue that it might be an effective intervention to prevent severe liver disease, say in those at high risk," Roderick said per KIRO-7.

Obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides are the most common causes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. American Liver Foundation said the condition affects up to 25% of persons in the United States.

World Cancer Research Fund said liver cancer is the sixth most frequent cancer worldwide. According to the American Cancer Society, the rate of liver cancer has more than doubled since 1980s.

Drinking Several Cups Of Coffee Will Greatly Improve Health, But Here's The Catch

One of the study's significant flaws is that the subjects were only asked about their coffee use at one point in time and then their health was evaluated.

The report explains that it is impossible to verify that coffee reduces the risk of chronic liver disease on its own.

The majority of studies are conducted on people who consume black coffee, too. Many individuals add dairy, sweeteners, flavors, or non-dairy creamers. These are heavy in calories, sugar, and fat. The American Heart Association advises that this will likely invalidate any heart-healthy benefits.

In most studies, a cup of coffee is just 8 ounces; in some coffee shops, the usual "grande" or big cup is 16 ounces.

Caffeine can be harmful if eaten in large amounts by certain populations, according to study. A 2017 study, titled "Coffee Consumption and Health: Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses of Multiple Health Outcomes," said high amounts of coffee drinking (more than 4 cups) during pregnancy were linked to low birth weight, premature birth, and stillbirths.

Mayo Clinic said coffee still has potential risks, primarily due to its high caffeine content. It can, for example, briefly increase blood pressure. Caffeine should be avoided by women who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding. High consumption of unfiltered, boiled coffee has been linked to a slight increase in cholesterol levels.