DRINKING COFFEE CAN BEAT CANCER
A MERE one cup of coffee a day can cut the risk of developing liver cancer, research suggests.
Caffeinated coffee was associated with a 20 per cent reduction, a study found.
Two cups a day led to a 35 per cent reduction and up to five cups halved the risk.
But drinking more than five cups offered no further protection against hepatocellular cancer (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer.
Decaffeinated coffee was also found to have a beneficial effect but it was less marked, revealed the researchers from Southampton and Edinburgh universities.
Dr Oliver Kennedy, who led the study, 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 everyone should start drinking five cups of coffee a day though. Nevertheless, our findings are an important development given the increasing evidence of HCC globally.”
Hepatocellular cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death globally.
It mostly develops in people who are already suffering from chronic liver disease (cirrhosis).
It is estimated that, by 2030, the number of new cases annually will have risen by about 50 per cent to more than 1.2 million.
The chemical compounds found in coffee possess antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anti-carcinogenic properties which scientists believe may explain the lower rates of chronic liver disease and liver cancer experienced by coffee drinkers.
About 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed each day and increased consumption has already been shown to protect against chronic liver disease.
The research, published today in journal BMJ Open, examined data from 26 studies involving more than 2.25 million people.
Professor Peter Hayes, of the University of Edinburgh, said: “We have shown coffee reduces cirrhosis and also liver cancer in a dosedependent 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.”
Clare Hyde, of Cancer Research UK, said: “Although this research suggests drinking coffee reduces liver cancer risk, we cannot say for sure whether this is a real link, as there may be other things coffee drinkers have in common that can also affect their chances of developing the disease. While this research is no reason to take up coffee drinking, people who do drink coffee already can be assured that there is no strong evidence that coffee increases your risk of cancer.”
The findings come as figures show people in England are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than 20 years ago.
Men were three per cent more likely to be diagnosed than in 1995 while women were 16 per cent more likely, according to Office for National Statistics data from 2015.