Everyone loves a hot cup of tea or coffee in winter.
Some people prefer to drink the drinks boiling hot, which can endanger their health and even lead to esophageal cancer.
Coffee and tea are an inseparable part of our daily routine for many of us, but what happens if these drinks remain too hot?
Recent studies have shown that it’s not just a matter of quantity, but also temperature – and that this could affect the risk of developing oesophageal cancer in people who drink scalding hot drinks in large quantities over time.
A large number of studies in various countries have shown that drinking coffee or tea at very high temperatures (more than 65 degrees Celsius) can increase the risk of esophageal cancer.
This was a large-scale study of thousands of participants, which found that those who drank very hot drinks were at greater risk of developing the disorder compared to those who drank them at a lower temperature.
One possible explanation is that the high heat damages the delicate lining of the esophagus, leading to chronic inflammation and the potential to damage cells over time.
Although this link is not recognized as a definitive cause, the World Health Organization already classifies drinking very hot drinks as ‘possibly carcinogenic’.
While the heat of the drink may pose a risk, other studies show a more complex picture: Moderate consumption of tea and coffee – especially at a moderate temperature – has been linked in the scientific literature to some reduction in the risk of some types of head and neck cancer, including parts of the throat.
However, these findings are limited and require further research.
