Participants who drank one to two cups of coffee daily showed a 20% lower risk of developing cirrhosis. (iStock)
Drinking coffee every day may do more than boost your energy. A large new study suggests it could also help protect your liver and lower the risk of serious liver diseases.
The research, published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, analyzed health data from 354,957 adults in the UK Biobank. None of the participants had liver cirrhosis or liver cancer when the study began, and researchers followed them for an average of 13 years.
What Did the Study Find?
People who drank one to two cups of coffee daily had:
- 20% lower risk of developing liver cirrhosis.
- 31% lower risk of dying from liver-related diseases compared to those who did not drink coffee.
The benefits appeared to increase with higher coffee consumption.
Participants who drank five or more cups a day showed:
- 32% lower risk of cirrhosis.
- 42% lower risk of liver-related death.
- 47% lower risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of primary liver cancer.
Why Might Coffee Benefit the Liver?
To understand these results, researchers also examined liver scans from nearly 29,000 participants and blood samples from about 50,000 people.
They found that heavy coffee drinkers generally had:
- Lower levels of liver fat.
- Lower levels of liver iron.
- Reduced signs of liver inflammation and scarring.
- Healthier levels of proteins that support normal liver function.
- Lower levels of proteins linked to inflammation and tissue damage.
These findings help explain why coffee may offer long-term liver protection.
Does It Matter if the Coffee Is Decaf?
Interestingly, the study found similar liver benefits from both regular and decaffeinated coffee. This suggests that natural compounds in coffee—rather than caffeine itself—may be responsible for its protective effects.
Should You Add Sugar?
The research found that coffee remained beneficial whether it was consumed black or with sweeteners. However, adding sugar or artificial sweeteners slightly reduced some of the positive effects, especially those related to liver inflammation.
A Healthy Habit, Not a Cure
Researchers say drinking coffee could be a simple habit that supports liver health. However, it should not replace other healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating a balanced diet, limiting alcohol, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and following your doctor’s advice.
Study Limitations
The researchers noted that participants reported their own coffee-drinking habits through questionnaires. Since people’s habits may have changed during the 13-year study, this could have influenced the results. Also, while the study shows a strong link between coffee and better liver health, it does not prove that coffee directly prevents liver disease.
Final Takeaway
This large long-term study adds to growing evidence that regular coffee consumption may help support liver health and reduce the risk of serious liver conditions. Whether you prefer regular or decaf, enjoying coffee in moderation—while avoiding too much added sugar—could be part of a healthy lifestyle.
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