Coffee Linked to Lower Liver Disease Risk

A Cedars-Sinai study of more than 350,000 people links regular coffee drinking to reduced liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver-related death.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Nutrition

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a coffee cup beside a smooth liver-shaped form, with steam rising from the cup against a warm plain background. — A Cedars-Sinai study of more than 350,000 people found regular coffee drinkers had lower rates of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver-related death over 13 years. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you think drinking coffee daily is good for your health?

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai published a study in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology finding that coffee consumption was associated with lower risks of cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver-related death. The analysis covered more than 350,000 participants followed for a median of 13 years.

Why it matters

The findings add to growing evidence connecting coffee with liver health, a concern for a large portion of the U.S. population. Because the study is observational, it cannot establish that coffee itself prevents liver disease.

The study analyzed more than 350,000 participants over a median of 13 years, with five or more daily cups associated with 32% lower cirrhosis risk, 47% lower liver cancer risk, and 42% lower liver-related death risk. Researchers have not yet identified which coffee compounds produce these associations, and the observational design cannot confirm cause and effect.

The players

Cedars-Sinai

Cedars-Sinai is a major nonprofit academic medical center in Los Angeles known for its research and clinical programs.

The details

Researchers used MRI scans to measure liver fat, iron, fibrosis, and inflammation, and blood tests to measure proteins tied to liver function and scarring. Coffee drinkers showed healthier readings on both measures, and the associations held for both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee.

Study data followed participants for a median of 13 years before publication in November 2026.

Big Picture

The study adds to Cedars-Sinai's ongoing research into liver disease, extending that work into the role of everyday dietary habits. Its large cohort and long follow-up period make it a notable contribution to observational research on coffee and liver health.

For U.S. adults who already drink coffee, the findings suggest no need to stop, though the study does not establish that coffee prevents liver disease. Readers concerned about liver health should discuss their own risk factors with a clinician rather than changing habits based on this observational study alone.

The takeaway

Coffee drinkers may see an association with better liver health, but the benefit is observed rather than proven, so moderation and medical guidance remain the reliable path.