Medical study links coffee consumption to reduced risk of liver cancer and cirrhosis

A recent medical study showed that regular coffee consumption may be associated with a reduced risk of liver cancer and cirrhosis, especially among people who drink five cups or more per day.

The study, published in the journal 'Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology', followed data from about 355,000 adults for nearly 13 years.

The results indicated that those who drank five cups a day were 50% less likely to develop liver cancer, and their risk of developing liver cirrhosis was reduced by about one-third compared to non-coffee drinkers.

The study noted that the liver health benefits extended to decaffeinated coffee, and even to coffee with added sugar or sweeteners, suggesting that coffee compounds and antioxidants play a role in reducing inflammation and fibrosis.

For its part, the UK National Health Service (NHS) warned against exceeding four cups a day, due to the possibility of increased blood pressure from excessive caffeine intake.

Health recommendations and their impact on Iraq raise questions about health policies in the country, particularly regarding awareness of the importance of nutrition and prevention of chronic diseases such as liver cancer, which is common in Iraq.

The Iraqi Ministry of Health and local health authorities have not yet commented on the study's findings or on the possibility of benefiting from them in health awareness programs.

"Coffee may contribute to improving liver health thanks to its compounds and antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and fibrosis, with the emphasis that moderation in consumption remains the best option," according to the researchers.