Coffee: Could Daily Consumption Of This Drink Reduce Liver Cirrhosis Risk?

A new study discusses another benefit of coffee consumption, suggesting that increasing drinking more coffee may reduce the risk of developing liver cirrhosis; this disease results in one million deaths per year, which typically occurs from excessive alcohol intake and some types of food.

Researchers from Southampton University in the United Kingdom analyzed data from more than 430,000 people, obtained from nine previously published studies. The study showed that drinking two additional cups of coffee per day helped reduce the risk for liver cirrhosis by about 44 percent.

"Cirrhosis is potentially fatal and there is no cure as such. Therefore, it is significant that the risk of developing cirrhosis may be reduced by consumption of coffee, a cheap, ubiquitous and well-tolerated beverage," said lead study author Dr. Oliver Kennedy of Southampton University, according to Reuters.

In addition, for each cup of coffee had per day, researchers found a 22 percent lower risk of cirrhosis when compared to non-consumption of coffee. An additional two cups reduced the risk by 43 percent, while an additional 3 cups reduce the risk by 57 percent. Then, for every four cups added the risk went down to 65 percent, researchers found. 

However, there were some limitations in the study that are important to consider--including how it was unable to account for other risk factors of liver disease, including obesity and diabetes. The study also fails to mention how the coffee beans used were prepared. 

Related Articles

Could Drinking Coffee Reduce Your Skin Cancer Risk?

25 Teaspoons Of Sugar Are In Some Coffee Drinks: That's More Than Some Sodas

For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).