Hot drinks may raise risk of esophageal cancer: research

There is no doubt about it: hot coffee is better than cold. A new study has found that really hot coffee is associated with a three times increased chance of developing esophageal cancer.

The findings were just published by University of Oxford experts in the International Journal of Cancer, the BBC said. It finds that it is consistent with a comparable study four years earlier; however, the sample size from this study is nearly twice as large.

In a study of over 977,000 middle-aged people, researchers defined “very hot” drinks as those served at 65°C (149°F) or higher. They found that people who drank very hot coffee and tea were three times more likely to get esophageal cancer than those who drank warm liquids. And the risk was far higher if people drank 6 or more really hot drinks every day.

So what is the real temperature of your coffee when you drink it? Brew with water at 205 degrees Fahrenheit, and your coffee will be 185 degrees Fahrenheit when you brew it but will dip down to a drinkable temperature within a few minutes of being exposed to air temps. In fact, the SCA says the best temperature to consume coffee is between 120°F and 150°F because that’s when the flavor and complexity of a cup are most prominent.

And if you go by feel, the BBC cites another study that found that temperatures of 70°C were considered too hot.

And if you can’t resist taking a sip straight from the brew, the IJOC study points out that it’s thrice higher, but still extremely low. They say the best approach to lower your chances of esophageal cancer is to quit smoking and drink less alcohol.

So to summarize, don’t drink your coffee too hot. It’s not good for your throat, and it doesn’t taste as good anyway.” And, also, take care of your health.

Photo by shyam mishra from Pexels

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