Beware... Hot Drinks May Increase Cancer Risk

Arabia.net – A new study involving nearly one million people has linked the regular consumption of very hot tea or coffee with an increased risk of esophageal cancer (the tube that carries food to the stomach).

According to a report published by the UK magazine Women’s Health UK, which was reviewed by Arabia.net, researchers at the University of Oxford reached this conclusion after analyzing data from nearly 980,000 adults in the UK.

They found that individuals who were accustomed to drinking beverages at 65°C or higher were about three times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus compared to those who drank tea or coffee warm.

The researchers also found that consuming six or more hot drinks per day was associated with an increased risk. Although adding milk slightly cools tea or coffee, the researchers note that the temperature of many beverages may still remain above 65°C.

Dr. Keren Papier, the lead researcher and senior epidemiologist in the Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford, said: “International research has long shown that consuming beverages at very high temperatures—common in South America—is associated with an increased risk of certain types of esophageal cancer.”

She added: “What has not been entirely clear is whether this also applies to the temperatures at which hot beverages are typically consumed in Western societies.”

According to Cancer Research UK, squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus is a relatively uncommon disease in the UK, with a lifetime risk of approximately 1%. Therefore, although the relative risk was higher among those who consumed very hot beverages, the absolute risk remains low.

The study also revealed an “association” rather than proving that very hot beverages directly cause cancer. Researchers emphasize that further research is still needed to understand the precise mechanisms by which temperature may affect risk levels.