People who drink coffee may significantly reduce their risk of developing the most common type of liver cancer, a new study indicates.

Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for around 90% of all of these cases. It occurs more often in men and people over the age of 50.

Italian researchers undertook an analysis of 16 high-quality studies of HCC that had been carried out between 1996 and 2012. These studies involved over 3,100 people.

They found that people who drank coffee reduced their risk of developing HCC by around 40%. Furthermore, some of the data suggested that consuming three cups of coffee on a daily basic could reduce the risk by over 50%.

"Our research confirms past claims that coffee is good for your health, and particularly the liver. The favourable effect of coffee on liver cancer might be mediated by coffee's proven prevention of diabetes, a known risk factor for the disease, or for its beneficial effects on cirrhosis and liver enzymes," the researchers from Milan said.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.