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Does Drinking More Coffee Lower Your Risk Of Liver Cirrhosis? Maybe

Scientists discovered coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing liver cirrhosis. But that doesn't mean coffee cancels out a night at the bars.
Posted at 1:06 PM, Feb 01, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-01 13:06:51-05

Coffee-lovers, rejoice! Science has come up with another reason coffee might be good for your health.

A new review shows drinking more coffee lowers the risk of developing alcohol-related cirrhosis by up to 65 percent. But that doesn't necessarily mean a morning at the coffee shop will cancel out a night at the bar. 

There were nine different studies with about 432,000 participants, and eight found the correlation between coffee consumption and a lower risk of developing cirrhosis. But the review didn't account for factors like obesity and diabetes, so there's still more research to be done.

The doctor who conducted the research with Southampton University in the United Kingdom told CNN "Compared to no coffee, one cup per day was associated with a 22 percent lower risk of cirrhosis, and four cups per day was associated with a 65 percent lower risk." 

But after four cups, unfortunately, there might not be a benefit to downing more coffee. 

Liver cirrhosis, which kills approximately 1 million people each year, can be caused by excessive drinking, obesity, diabetes, hepatitis and multiple episodes of heart failure. Scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue, which blocks the flow of blood through the liver, which slows liver function. 

Last year, a study found coffee could protect against heart disease. So maybe you don't have to regret that venti after all.  

This video includes images from Getty Images.