Very Hot Drinks Linked to Increased Esophageal Cancer Risk
- Consuming very hot drinks with a temperature of 65 degrees Celsius or above can increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, according to research published in the International Journal...
- The Oxford University work establishes 65 degrees Celsius as the threshold where hot drinks pose a potential risk to the oesophagus.
- Water boiled in a kettle reaches 100 degrees Celsius, which is the boiling point, and sits at around 90 or 95 degrees Celsius once poured into a cup.
Consuming very hot drinks with a temperature of 65 degrees Celsius or above can increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, according to research published in the International Journal of Cancer. The study, conducted by researchers at Oxford University, analyzed data from 977,282 middle-aged men and women to examine the health impacts of beverage temperature and frequency.
Oxford University Study Details Temperature and Frequency Risks
The Oxford University work establishes 65 degrees Celsius as the threshold where hot drinks pose a potential risk to the oesophagus. Alongside temperature, consumption volume plays a role in overall risk. According to data from the 977,282 participants evaluated in the study, consuming six or more hot drinks per day further raises the likelihood of developing problems. Lead researcher Dr Keren Papier noted that similar links between hot beverages and oesophageal cancer had already been established in South America, where many people drink a very hot herbal beverage called mate. However, Dr Papier stated that more research is now needed to identify the exact drink temperatures linked to this increased risk.
Temperature Comparison: Kettles, Cups, and Public Perception
Water boiled in a kettle reaches 100 degrees Celsius, which is the boiling point, and sits at around 90 or 95 degrees Celsius once poured into a cup. While adding milk can cool drinks down slightly, researchers caution that a milky tea or coffee may still be far too hot for safe consumption. A separate study of 118 young adults who performed multiple tastings of different black coffees found that most participants only deemed the drinks to be too hot if the temperature reached 70 degrees Celsius or above. Meanwhile, takeaway coffee cup manufacturers indicate that the ideal temperature for hot coffee on the go is between 49 and 60 degrees Celsius, though coffee shops can serve beverages at over 82 degrees Celsius if a customer requests an extra hot drink, according to MTPak Coffee.
Guidance from Public Health Charities
Cancer Research UK recommends waiting a few minutes after pouring so the beverage cools to a safer temperature.
Cancer Research UK says it’s difficult to put an exact time on how long a hot drink should be left to cool.
But if you’re worried, we’d suggest just waiting until it’s comfortable to drink rather than drinking it while it’s still very hot.
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