Increased coffee consumption may reduce the risk of liver cancer

Swedish researchers have reported that an increase in consumption of 2 cups of
coffee per day is associated with a reduced risk of liver cancer, in a study reported in May’s issue of the journal Gastroenterology.

The authors, Drs Susanna Larsson and Alicja Wolk, pooled data in a meta-analysis of nine clinical studies (5 cohort and 4 case-control studies) involving 2,260 cases and 239,146 non-cases.

They found an inverse association between coffee consumption and risk of liver cancer that was statistically significant in 6/9 studies. The authors reported that an increase in coffee consumption of 2 cups per day was association with 43% reduction in risk of liver cancer.

The authors note several lines of evidence that a protective effect of coffee consumption on liver is biologically plausible. For example, coffee contains antioxidants such as chlorogenic acids, and animal studies have shown an inhibitory effect of coffee and chlorogenic acids on liver cancer

Author’s conclusions ‘Findings from this meta-analysis indicate
that coffee consumption may reduce the risk of liver cancer. The mechanisms involved and the substances in coffee that may be responsible for the relation remain to be elucidated.’

Source: http://www.gastrojournal.org/article/PIIS0016508507005689/abstract