Coffee consumption reduces the risk of liver cancer

Coffee consumption reduces the risk of the most common type of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by about 40%. In addition, some data indicate that three cups of coffee a day can reduce by more than 50% the risk of acquiring the disease. The conclusion is an analysis published in the American Gastroenterological, advances the website BemStar, from the Globo network. "Our research confirms previous claims that coffee is good for health, and in particular the liver," said the study's author, Carlo La Vecchia. According to investigators, the relation of beverage prevention -proven - diabetes may mediate the favourable effect of coffee on the prevention of liver cancer. The latter is a risk factor for the development of cancer and the coffee has beneficial effects on cirrhosis and liver enzymes. The researchers performed a meta -analysis of articles published from 1996 to September 2012, finally studying 16 high quality research and a total of 3,153 cases. Despite the consistency of results across studies, time periods and populations, it is difficult to establish whether the association between coffee consumption and HCC is causal, or whether this relationship can be partially attributed to the fact that patients with liver diseases and digestive often voluntarily reduce their coffee intake. "It is not yet clear whether the consumption of coffee has an additional role in preventing liver cancer, but either way, this role will be limited compared to what is possible by current measures," added Carlo La Vecchia. Primary liver cancers are largely preventable through vaccination with hepatitis B virus, control of transmission of hepatitis C virus and reduction of alcohol consumption. These three steps can in principle prevent more than 90% of primary liver cancer worldwide.
Source: Portal de Oncologia Português