Alcohol Contributes To Liver Cancer: Skip It And Get Some Coffee Instead

It should come as no surprise that alcohol in excess is not good for you, and of course, this includes wine, too. A glass of red wine a night could carry some health benefits. The antioxidants have been known to be healthy. Yet drinking the whole bottle will lead you on your way to a hangover in no time.

Recent research shows us that three drinks a night or more of alcohol could increase our chances of liver cancer. Good news is that most people's favorite morning accessory, coffee, could help prevent it--a drink that's also oftentimes in the news for controversy regarding health issues.

For the study, researchers examined data on 8.2 million people who took part in 34 studies worldwide. A total of 24,500 liver cancer cases were found among participants involved in the studies.

They looked to determine how diet, physical activity and weight loss could affect the risk of liver cancer. Studies were then reviewed by researchers at Imperial College London in England and then independently assessed by a panel of international experts.

Researchers found that being overweight or obese significantly increased the risk of regular drinking that involved more than one drink and the risk of developing liver cancer.

Another major contributing component seemed to be foods that had been contaminated by aflatoxins or that had been produced by fungi, which resulted from improper storage. This was more common in developing regions.

Maintaining a healthy diet and weight, along with limiting drinks to one or two a day can significantly reduce your risk of liver cancer. Furthermore, a 2014 study published in the journal Hepatology found that coffee was good for your liver. Researchers from the study even found that drinking decaf cups of Joe on a daily basis help to lower levels of abnormal liver enzymes thanks to a chemical in caffeine that they believe may assist the organ.

Other studies have also shown that drinking coffee has helped to lower the risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cirrhosis, as well.

So skip that extra drink and have some coffee instead? At least, that's what we're thinking, anyway.

More information regarding the findings can be found via the World Cancer Research Fund International.

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