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Drinking coffee may help protect the liver in more ways than scientists previously understood, according to a large new study that found regular coffee drinkers had significantly lower risks of cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver-related death. The findings also suggest the benefits are not driven by caffeine alone, with similar results observed for both regular and decaffeinated coffee.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University analyzed data from 354,957 adults enrolled in the UK Biobank who had no history of cirrhosis or liver cancer at the start of the study. Participants were followed for a median of 13 years, allowing scientists to compare coffee consumption with long-term liver health outcomes. The team also examined liver MRI scans and blood protein profiles to investigate why coffee may be associated with healthier livers.
The study, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, found that people who drank five or more cups of coffee per day 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 with non-coffee drinkers.
MRI scans revealed that heavier coffee drinkers generally had lower levels of liver fat, inflammation, fibrosis, and iron buildup. Blood analyses supported those findings, showing higher levels of proteins linked to healthy liver function and lower levels of proteins associated with inflammation and scarring. Together, the results provide biological clues that could help explain coffee’s apparent protective effects.
Despite the strongest associations appearing among people who drank the most coffee, researchers emphasized that benefits were also observed with one to two cups per day and appeared to peak around three to four cups daily. The similar results for caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee suggest that naturally occurring compounds other than caffeine may play an important role.
The researchers caution that the study was observational, meaning it cannot prove that coffee directly prevents liver disease. They also stress that coffee should not replace established prevention strategies such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol consumption, and managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
The team now plans to identify the specific compounds in coffee responsible for these associations, hoping future research will clarify how coffee influences liver health and determine who may benefit the most.
