Study Links Coffee Consumption to Better Liver Health

A significant study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology examined the relationship between coffee consumption and liver health, involving 354,957 adults from the UK Biobank over a median follow-up period of 13 years. The study found that regular coffee drinkers had a 32% lower risk of developing cirrhosis, a 47% lower risk of liver cancer, and a 42% lower risk of dying from liver disease compared to non-coffee drinkers.

Even those consuming one to two cups daily showed healthier liver outcomes, with the most substantial benefits observed in those drinking three to four cups. MRI liver scans and blood protein profiles indicated that higher coffee consumption correlated with less liver fat, lower inflammation, reduced scarring, and improved liver function markers.

Both regular and decaffeinated coffee were associated with these health benefits, suggesting that compounds in coffee, rather than caffeine alone, may contribute to liver protection. Researchers cautioned that the observational nature of the study does not confirm causation and advised that coffee should complement other liver health strategies.