A large new study suggests that regular coffee consumption may be associated with a lower risk of several serious liver conditions, including cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver-related deaths. However, researchers caution that the findings show an association rather than proving that coffee directly prevents liver disease.
The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, analyzed health data from nearly 355,000 adults enrolled in the UK Biobank over more than a decade. Researchers examined participants’ coffee consumption alongside liver scans, blood biomarkers, and long-term health outcomes.
Higher Coffee Intake Linked to Better Liver Health
According to the study, participants who drank five or more cups of coffee per day had a 32% lower risk of cirrhosis, a 47% lower risk of liver cancer, and a 42% lower risk of liver-related death compared with those who consumed less or no coffee.
Researchers also observed potential benefits among people who drank one to two cups daily, although the strongest associations were seen in those with higher coffee consumption.
Benefits May Extend Beyond Caffeine
Lead author Dr. Hyun-Suk Kim said the study combined liver imaging, biological markers, and clinical outcomes to provide a more comprehensive assessment of the relationship between coffee consumption and liver health.
The researchers noted that both regular and decaffeinated coffee showed similar protective associations, suggesting that naturally occurring antioxidants and plant compounds in coffee—not caffeine alone—may contribute to the observed effects.
Researchers Urge Caution
The study also found that adding large amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners may reduce some of coffee’s potential health benefits, making unsweetened or lightly sweetened coffee a better option.
Despite the findings, researchers stressed that the study was observational and cannot establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Other lifestyle factors may also have influenced the results.
Health experts further advised that people who do not normally drink coffee should not begin consuming five cups a day solely to improve liver health, as excessive caffeine intake may cause side effects such as anxiety, sleep disturbances, a rapid heartbeat, and digestive problems in some individuals.
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