If you think your liver’s at risk of cancer from all the excessive binge-drinking sessions, you may want to stock up your kitchen with an espresso machine!
According to Sci News, researchers from Italy (a legit coffee-drinking nation) claim that consumption of coffee can reduce risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) -the most common type of liver cancer – by up to 40%. The study also indicates that drinking 3 cups of coffee a day can reduce the risk by more than 50%.
Lead by Dr Carlo La Vecchia from the Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche ‘Mario Negri’ and the Università degli Studi di Milan, Italy – the research confirms past claims that coffee is good for your health, and particularly the liver,” said Dr La Vecchia.
“The favorable effect of coffee on liver cancer might be mediated by coffee’s proven prevention of diabetes, a known risk factor for the disease, or for its beneficial effects on cirrhosis and liver enzymes.”
HCC is the sixth most common cancer in the world and it has accounted for more than 90% of liver cancer cases worldwide. Chronic infections with hepatitis B and C viruses are said to cause liver cancer. Alcohol and tobacco consumption, obesity and diabetes are also relevant risk factors.
The results of the study, which was published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, concluded:
The risk of HCC is reduced by 40% for any coffee consumption vs no consumption. The inverse association might partly or largely exist because patients with liver and digestive diseases reduce their coffee intake. However, coffee has been shown to affect liver enzymes and development of cirrhosis, and therefore could protect against liver carcinogenesis.
Dr La Vecchia says that it’s still unclear whether coffee drinking plays an additional role in liver cancer prevention, but says that such a role would still be limited compared to what is achievable through the current measures.
Get your epic dose of coffee in the Klang Valley with the help of our cafe-hopping guide here.
