Study of 355,000 Adults Links 5+ Coffee Cups to 50% Lower Liver Cancer Risk

2 articles · Updated · Medical News Today · Jul 7

355,000-plus U.K. Biobank adults tracked for 13 years showed the strongest benefit among people drinking five or more cups daily, who had nearly 50% lower liver cancer risk than non-drinkers.
The same high-intake group also showed a 32% lower cirrhosis risk and a 42% lower risk of liver-related death, with researchers reporting a dose-response pattern as coffee intake rose.
MRI scans and blood proteomic analyses tied coffee use to lower liver fat, less inflammation and fibrosis-related biomarkers, giving the observational findings a biological basis beyond clinical outcomes alone.
Cedars-Sinai's Hyunseok Kim said both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee showed similar associations, suggesting compounds such as polyphenols and chlorogenic acids—not just caffeine—may drive the effect.
The study did not prove causation, and outside experts said coffee should complement broader liver-protective habits such as limiting alcohol, staying active and maintaining a healthy weight.