LONDON: Drinking tea, coffee and other beverages at extremely high temperatures may be associated with a higher risk of a specific type of esophageal cancer, according to a large study led by researchers at the University of Oxford.
The study, led by Dr Karen Papier, analyzed data from around 980,000 people in the UK who were followed for approximately 14 years. Researchers examined whether the preferred temperature and consumption of hot beverages were associated with esophageal cancer.
Participants reported whether they usually drank their beverages as “very hot,” “hot” or “warm.” Those who preferred very hot drinks were found to have nearly three times the risk of developing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) compared with people who drank warm beverages.
Higher Consumption Also Linked to Increased Risk
The study also found an association between the amount of hot beverages consumed and SCC risk. People who reported drinking six or more hot beverages a day had a 71% higher risk of SCC than those who consumed fewer than six.
However, researchers did not find a clear association between hot beverage consumption and esophageal adenocarcinoma (AC), another major type of esophageal cancer.
The findings suggest that temperature may be an important factor, rather than tea or coffee itself being directly responsible for the increased risk.
Why Could Very Hot Drinks Be a Risk?
Researchers said repeated exposure to extremely hot beverages could cause thermal injury to the lining of the esophagus. Repeated damage over time may contribute to cellular changes that can play a role in cancer development.
Experts cautioned, however, that the study shows an association and does not establish that drinking very hot beverages directly causes cancer.
One limitation was that participants reported their preferred beverage temperature themselves. Professor Mu-Tek Tay of Queen Mary University of London noted that what one person considers “very hot” may differ from another person’s definition.
Should Tea and Coffee Drinkers Be Concerned?
Experts say people do not necessarily need to stop drinking tea or coffee. Allowing very hot beverages to cool before drinking them can be a simple precaution.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified beverages consumed at temperatures above 65°C as probably carcinogenic to humans in 2016. Tobacco use and alcohol consumption are also established risk factors for esophageal cancer, making overall lifestyle and exposure patterns important when considering cancer risk.