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Drinking five cups of coffee a day could reduce chances of liver cancer by half, scientists reveal

A Flat White prepared by Rosamund Urwin: Matt Writtle
A Flat White prepared by Rosamund Urwin: Matt Writtle

Drinking five cups of coffee a day could reduce your chances of liver cancer by half, scientists have revealed.

Experts from Southampton and Edinburgh universities have suggested that people who drink more coffee are less likely to develop hepatocellular cancer (HCC), the most common form of primary liver cancer.

And even decaffeinated coffee can have a protective effect, they found.

Scientists examined data from 26 studies involving more than 2.25 million participants, publishing their findings in the British Medical Journal.

Study: Scientists think that even decaffeinated coffee could protect you from cancer (Shutterstock / milosljubicic)
Study: Scientists think that even decaffeinated coffee could protect you from cancer (Shutterstock / milosljubicic)

Compared with people who drank no coffee, those who drank one cup had a 20 per cent lower risk of developing HCC.

Those who consumed two cups had a 35 per cent reduced risk and for those who drank five cups, the risk was halved.

They even noted a protective effect for decaf, 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."

Lead author Dr Oliver Kennedy, 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."