A major long-term study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that regular coffee consumption may help protect heavy drinkers from developing cirrhosis of the liver. The research, led by Dr. Arthur Klatsky of Kaiser Permanente's Division of Research, tracked more than 125,000 people over roughly two decades.
The data showed a clear dose-related pattern: one cup of coffee per day was associated with a 20 percent lower risk of alcoholic cirrhosis, two to three cups with a 40 percent reduction, and four or more cups with an 80 percent reduction in risk.
Researchers also measured liver enzyme levels in a subset of participants. Those who drank both alcohol and coffee showed lower enzyme counts than those who drank alcohol alone, with the effect most pronounced among heavier drinkers. Drinking tea showed no comparable benefit.
Scientists were unable to determine whether caffeine or another compound in coffee produced the protective effect. The authors stressed that the findings carry no clinical prescription: the surest way to avoid alcoholic cirrhosis remains cutting back on alcohol. The study's broader value, they noted, may lie in revealing biochemical clues that could guide new liver-protection therapies.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in June 2006, in its own words.