While scientists don’t have a clear biological understanding of this, a recent study backs up earlier results from Europe and Japan showing coffee offering protection from liver cancer.

The reduced risk appears to be related to liver cancer resulting from alcohol-induced cirrhosis of liver. So, while it would be best to cut down on the alcohol, at least the coffee habit might help if you do drink. The most impressive reduction was noted between 14 and 28 cups of coffee per week.

The results of this study appear in the August 2007 issue of Hepatology, the official journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD).