From tea to coffee: the temperature of the drink increases the risk of esophageal cancer by 3 times

1

If you prefer to brew your tea and let it cool a bit, you may be on to something, as studies show that hot drinks can increase your risk of cancer.

As winter approaches, you may be tempted to put the kettle on even more often. Whether you drink herbal teas or prefer a cup of coffee, you can monitor the temperature of your favorite drink. A doctor has warned that drinking a cup that's too hot can increase your risk of esophageal cancer.

You can reduce your risk of esophageal cancer by drinking hot drinks.

Anything – food or drink – above 110 degrees Fahrenheit can burn the skin, and above 160 degrees Fahrenheit, immediately. “Because coffee must be brewed at 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit, a cup of freshly brewed coffee is more than hot enough to cause serious burns to the skin, especially the sensitive cells lining the esophagus.

Hot beverages can nearly triple the risk of developing of this type of cancer.

“Those who regularly drank coffee and tea had an increased risk of esophageal cancer by 2.8 times Those who drank “hot” or “very hot” coffee had a 5.5- and 4.1-fold increased risk of esophageal cancer, respectively. The drinks can increase gastroesophageal reflux and increase inflammation in the esophagus, both of which can increase your risk of cancer.”

Another theory is that enjoying drinks that are too hot damages the tissue in your esophagus, signaling your body that it's time to heal. However, the faster and more frequently your body needs to generate new cells to heal, the more room there is for genetic errors, such as abnormal cells or cancer cells.

The most common cancer of the esophagus is adenocarcinoma, which is associated with high temperatures . Squamous cell carcinoma, a less common type of esophageal cancer, may be associated with drinking hot beverages.