A recent study from the University of Oxford has found that frequently consuming very hot tea or coffee might increase the risk of a specific type of esophageal cancer. This research suggests that individuals who describe their beverages as “very hot” face about three times the risk of developing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) compared to those who prefer their drinks warm.
The study also revealed that people who drank six or more hot beverages daily had a 71% higher chance of facing this particular cancer. Fortunately, no similar connection was found with esophageal adenocarcinoma (AC), a different cancer occurring in the lower section of the esophagus.
This study, which included nearly one million adults in the UK, is one of the largest of its kind. Lead researcher Keren Papier, a nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Oxford, noted that approximately half of the participants were from the Million Women Study (MWS), followed for about 14 years, while the rest were from the UK Biobank (UKB), monitored for around 11 years.
According to Papier, those who consume their beverages at “hot” temperatures are at 1.7 times higher risk for SCC, while those drinking “very hot” saw their risk rise to three times.
If the findings are to be taken as a genuine cause-and-effect relationship, the researchers estimated that around 14% of SCC cases could potentially be avoided if individuals switched from very hot to hot beverages.
However, the research has some limitations. The temperatures of the beverages were based on self-reported data rather than precise measurements. This could lead to variations in how individuals understand and report drink temperatures.
Papier emphasized that these findings don’t mean people should entirely eliminate their beloved drinks; rather, it might be wiser to let them cool down a bit before sipping.
Dr. Aaron Sasson, a surgical oncology chief at Stony Brook Cancer Center, acknowledged the research’s validity. He explained that hot beverages can irritate the esophagus and may contribute to cancer development. He compared the situation to consistently exposing the skin to burns, where repeated damage may increase the risk of skin cancer.
Dr. Sasson pointed out that around 85% of esophageal cancers in the US are adenocarcinomas, making squamous cell carcinoma less common. He also mentioned that many established risk factors for esophageal cancer include smoking, heavy drinking, acid reflux, and obesity.
For those who enjoy their hot tea or coffee, Dr. Sasson advised moderation, suggesting it might be best to allow drinks to cool slightly before consuming them.
