Very hot drinks may damage food pipe and cancer risk
Oxford University research links drinks at 65°C and above, such as hot tea and coffee, to an increased risk of oesophageal cancer.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Oxford University study examined data from nearly one million people.
- Drinks at 65°C or above are defined as very hot and potentially risky.
- Consuming six or more hot drinks daily raises cancer risk.
- Adding milk cools beverages slightly, but they remain very hot.
Consuming beverages like tea and coffee at very hot temperatures on a regular basis may elevate the risk of developing oesophageal cancer, according to UK researchers. Steaming hot liquids can physically damage the cell lining of the food pipe on their way down to the stomach.
The research was conducted by Oxford University and published in the International Journal of Cancer, defining any drink kept at 65 degrees Celsius or higher as very hot and carrying potential health risks.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Data gathered from 977,282 middle-aged men and women showed that consuming six or more hot drinks daily further increases this risk. Researchers note that while adding milk cools beverages slightly, milky coffee or tea can still remain far too hot for safety.
Tea prepared immediately after a kettle boils reaches near-boiling temperatures of 100°C (212°F), dropping to around 90 or 95°C once poured into a cup. The standard advice is to wait a few minutes before consumption to let the beverage reach a safer temperature.
"More research is now needed to identify the exact drink temperatures linked to this increased risk."
Dr Keren Papier
Lead researcher Dr Keren Papier stated that prior research in South America involving a very hot herbal beverage called mate had already demonstrated a similar link between hot drinks and oesophageal cancer.
Squamous cell oesophageal cancer remains a relatively rare condition, affecting a small fraction of the population. While scalding beverages contribute to physical cellular stress, health organizations emphasize that lifestyle factors like smoking and alcohol consumption present significantly higher risks for this type of cancer.
Source: BBC Health
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