With approximately 66% of Americans drinking coffee daily, its consumption has long been the subject of scientific study. Previous research has pointed to positive effects of coffee on cognition, fat loss, and physical performance, debunking the idea that moderate consumption causes dehydration. And now, Cedars-Sinai investigators have linked regular coffee drinking to liver protection. Here’s what you need to know.
In one of the most comprehensive studies ever conducted on coffee and liver health, scientists have linked coffee consumption to a lower risk of cirrhosis, liver cancer and other liver-related conditions. “Previous studies have shown that coffee may benefit the liver, but most were small or focused on only one piece of the puzzle,” Hyunseok Kim, MD, MPH, PhD said, who is an assistant professor of medicine at Cedars-Sinai, and was the study’s corresponding author. “We followed hundreds of thousands of people for more than a decade and looked at their health outcomes with liver MRI scans and blood protein analysis. Together, those findings help explain the biological mechanisms behind coffee’s association with better liver health.”
What the New Cedars-Sinai Coffee study found
The researchers used sample data from more than 355,000 adults who did not have cirrhosis or liver cancer at the beginning of the study. They followed up after 13 years to track liver-related deaths as well as any new cases of these diseases.
Coffee and Liver Cancer: What the Research Shows
When compared with non-coffee drinkers, people who drank five or more cups of coffee every day had:
- Risk of cirrhosis reduced by 32%
- 47% less risk of liver cancer
- 42% lower risk of liver-related death
MRI scans showed that people who frequently drank coffee had lower levels of liver fat, liver iron, fibrosis and liver inflammation. The blood of coffee drinkers has higher levels of proteins associated with a well-functioning liver, and less of an environment for lesions.
How much coffee should you drink for a healthy liver and other benefits?
Scientists say that while five or more cups resulted in significant liver benefits, positive results may be seen after only one or two cups. The study also found similar protective benefits from decaffeinated coffee, meaning other compounds within the coffee may contribute to the results.
While coffee consumption continues to grow, it’s good to know that a cup of joe can be enjoyed without fear of derailing physical performance and can also provide extensive health benefits. But the advice is that we should exercise some caution with caffeine. “Our findings support moderate coffee consumption for people who already enjoy it and tolerate it well,” said the study’s senior author, Xu Dong Yang, MD. “However, based on this study alone we would not recommend that someone start drinking coffee solely for liver protection. Prevention should continue to focus on maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, exercising regularly, and managing blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.”
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