Drinking 3 cups of coffee a day can reduce the risk of liver cancer by more than 50%.

Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world and the third most deadly cancer. A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that drinking three cups of coffee a day can reduce the risk of liver cancer by more than 50%.

The new study was carried out by Dr. Carlo La Vicchia, an epidemiologist at the University of Milan in Italy, and colleagues. The researchers analyzed the literature on coffee and liver cancer published between 1996 and September 2012, including 16 high-level studies. The new study involved 3153 cases and included data on more than 900 recent cases of primary liver cancer. Coffee consumption was found to reduce the risk of primary liver cancer (the most common liver cancer) by 40 percent, while independent studies have shown that drinking three cups of coffee a day reduces the risk of the disease by at least half.

Dr. Vicchia said the latest research confirms coffee drinking has health benefits, especially for the liver. Earlier studies have shown that regular coffee consumption protects against diabetes, a known risk factor for liver cancer. Coffee drinking also has positive effects on cirrhosis and liver enzymes, the study found.

Dr. Vicchia said liver cancer is mainly caused by chronic inflammation caused by hepatitis B and C viruses, but other causes include excessive drinking, smoking, obesity and diabetes. Liver cancer can be prevented by vaccination against hepatitis B, controlling the spread of hepatitis C virus and reducing alcohol consumption. These three measures can prevent more than 90% of liver cancer cases worldwide.