Coffee and hepatocellular carcinoma: epidemiologic evidence and biologic mechanisms

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide. It is a complex chemical mixture composed of thousands of physiologically active compounds, including caffeine, chlorogenic acid, and diterpenes (cafestol and kahweol). Recently, coffee has emerged as a beverage with various health benefits, in particular in liver disease. Several epidemiological and observational studies demonstrated an inverse association between coffee consumption and primary liver cancer risk. The biological mechanisms underlying the hepatoprotective effect of coffee are still not completely understood. This article reviews the current available literature about the association between coffee consumption and hepatocellular carcinoma risk and the proposed mechanisms by which coffee exerts its chemopreventive properties.