A Cedars-Sinai-led observational study following nearly 355,000 UK Biobank participants for a median of 13 years found that people who drank coffee had lower risks of cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver-related death than non-drinkers. The associations were seen even at one to two cups a day and appeared strongest at around three to four cups, with similar patterns for caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee.
Researchers analyzed data from 354,957 UK Biobank participants who had no history of cirrhosis or liver cancer at the start of the study and tracked new diagnoses and liver-related deaths using linked medical records over a median follow-up of 13 years.
In the group reporting the highest intake—five or more cups a day—coffee consumption was associated with a 32% lower risk of cirrhosis, a 47% lower risk of liver cancer, and a 42% lower risk of death related to liver disease compared with people who did not drink coffee.
To explore possible biological clues behind the clinical outcomes, the investigators also examined liver MRI measures and blood protein data. Higher coffee intake was associated with lower levels of liver fat, lower measures of excess liver iron, less fibrosis and less liver inflammation on MRI. Blood samples showed protein patterns more consistent with healthier liver function and less inflammation and tissue scarring.
"Our findings support moderate coffee consumption for people who already enjoy and tolerate it well," said study senior author Ju Dong Yang, medical director of the Liver Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai.
Yang and colleagues emphasized that the research does not mean people should start drinking coffee solely to protect their liver, and said prevention should continue to prioritize established steps such as maintaining a healthy weight and limiting alcohol.
The study, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, was observational, meaning it identifies associations but cannot prove that coffee itself prevents cirrhosis, liver cancer or liver-related death. The researchers said future work will aim to identify which compounds in coffee might be linked to the observed patterns.
