Two cups of coffee a day can cut liver cancer risk ‘by third’

DRINKING just two cups of coffee a day can reduce the risk of liver cancer by a third while drinking five cups can halve the risk, according to a study.

Researchers at the University of Southampton and the University of Edinburgh analysed data from 26 studies involving a total of more than 2.25 million participants.

They found that people who drink coffee are less likely to develop hepatocellular cancer (HCC), the most common form of primary liver cancer.

Even decaffeinated coffee can have a protective effect, they found.

Compared with people who did not drink any coffee, those who had one cup a day had a 20 per cent lower risk of developing HCC, according to the study published in the journal BMJ Open. Those who consumed two cups had a 35 per cent reduced risk and for those who drank five cups, the risk was halved.

The researchers even noted a protective effect for decaffeinated coffee, but added that this was “smaller and less certain than for caffeinated coffee”.

The authors wrote: “It may be important for developing coffee as a lifestyle intervention in CLD [chronic liver disease], as decaffeinated coffee might be more acceptable to those who do not drink coffee or who limit their coffee consumption because of caffeine-related symptoms.”

Dr Oliver Kennedy, the lead author, of the University of Southampton, said: “Coffee is widely believed to possess a range of health benefits and these latest findings suggest it could have a significant effect on liver cancer risk.

“We’re not suggesting that everyone should start drinking five cups of coffee a day, though. There needs to be more investigation into the potential harms of high coffee-caffeine intake, and there is evidence it should be avoided in certain groups, such as pregnant women.

“Nevertheless, our findings are an important development given the increasing evidence of HCC globally and its poor prognosis.”

Prof Peter Hayes, of the University of Edinburgh, added: “We have shown that coffee reduces cirrhosis and also liver cancer in a dose-dependent manner.

“Coffee has also been reported to reduce the risk of death from many other causes. Our research adds to the evidence that, in moderation, coffee can be a wonderful natural medicine.”

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that in 2015, 4,673 new cases of liver cancer were diagnosed in England.

Andrew Langford, the chief executive of the British Liver Trust, said: “This new study adds to the growing body of evidence showing that drinking coffee is good for liver health and can reduce your risk of developing liver cancer.”

He added that it was, however, important to reduce alcohol consumption and keep to a healthy weight to reduce the risk of developing liver cancer.