A steaming hot cup of tea or coffee is how many of us start our day. But have you ever thought that drinking beverages that are too hot could actually harm your health? Recent research has raised concerns that regularly consuming very hot drinks may increase the risk of esophageal cancer, a type of cancer that affects the food pipe.
As per World Health Organisation (WHO) beverages served at temperatures above 65 degree C (149 degree F) can burn the lining of the esophagus. Repeated burns can cause swelling, and over time, may even lead to cancer.
A study published in the International Journal of Cancer found that people who preferred their drinks hotter than 60 degree C (140 degree F) and drank more than 700 ml of tea a day had a 90 per cent higher risk of esophageal cancer compared to those who consumed cooler or smaller amounts.
So, do you really need to worry about that extra-hot latte or a hot cuppa tea? The Financial Express spoke to Dr. Suman Karanth Gupta, Additional Director, Medical Oncology at Fortis Hospital, Gurugram, to share facts.
Why temperature matters more than the number of cups
According to Dr. Gupta, the real problem doesn’t come from how many hot drinks you consume, but how hot they are when you sip them. “It is not the problem of the number of drinks. It is the problem of the temperature of the drink,” she explains.
“It is always better and always safer to have something that is warm or reasonably hot, and you must avoid burning the esophagus. Repeated injuries or repeated burning of the esophagus is what ultimately can lead to increased risk in esophageal cancer.”
So, the habit of gulping down a drink straight after it’s poured may be more harmful than having multiple cups a day, provided they’re at a safe temperature.
How to drink hot beverages safely
The good news is, you don’t have to give up tea or coffee. You just need to be a little careful. “It is always better to let the drink settle down for a few moments before consumption. Taking smaller sips rather than gulps also helps in avoiding scalding of the throat,” says Dr. Gupta.
Ideally, your tea or coffee should feel pleasantly warm, not burning hot. While there isn’t a set waiting time, Dr. Gupta suggests allowing extremely hot drinks to cool for four to five minutes before sipping.
Warning signs you shouldn’t ignore
Esophageal cancer usually develops slowly and often begins with small injuries to the lining of the throat. Dr. Gupta explains that some early warning signs to watch out for include persistent throat pain or a burning sensation, frequent regurgitation where food or liquid comes back up, constant heartburn, and difficulty swallowing.
“If somebody has persistent throat pain, burning in the throat, or frequent regurgitations, this might be an early sign of esophageal damage. If you have persistent heartburn, again, this might be a warning sign,” she warns. “If there are any such symptoms, it is always better to get yourself checked at the earliest.”
Can medical tests detect heat damage?
Unfortunately, there are no standard screening tests to check if hot drinks have harmed your esophagus. “There are no routine screening tests for detection of any such damage by hot drinks,” says Dr. Gupta. “But endoscopies, upper GI endoscopies, are tests which can detect inflammation or pre-cancerous changes. Anytime somebody has early symptoms of persistent burning in the throat, difficulty in swallowing, or recurrent GERD symptoms, one might visit a doctor to get an endoscopy done,” she further said.
Do hot drinks alone cause cancer?
Just sipping a hot cup of tea or coffee once in a while won’t suddenly give you cancer. The real risk increases when it’s combined with other lifestyle habits.
“It is true that drinking very hot drinks can increase your risk, but it is important to understand this risk is modest as compared to other risk factors,” explains Dr. Gupta. “For example, smoking is a very big risk factor. Obesity is a very important risk factor. Heavy alcohol consumption is, too. So, drinking hot beverages alone does not increase your risk. But yes, in conjunction with other lifestyle risk factors, it can increase your risk greatly,” she said.
Smoking, alcohol, and hot drinks: The main culprits
Smoking and alcohol are already well-known culprits when it comes to esophageal cancer. When you add very hot drinks to the mix, the damage increases. “Smoking and alcohol both are independent risk factors for esophageal cancer. They can increase your risk significantly. And when both are done together, the risk of cancer only gets amplified,” Dr. Gupta explains.
“Now, when you combine both with very hot drinks, the effect only further gets amplified. So, in such a situation, it is not advisable to do all three because it can only increase your risk even further. Avoiding all three is probably the best,” she added.
You don’t need to ditch your morning chai or coffee. But drinking them piping hot, especially alongside other unhealthy lifestyle choices, could put your throat at risk over time.
So, let your tea or coffee cool for a few minutes, take small sips, and pay attention to persistent throat symptoms. It may not just save you from discomfort, it could protect you from something much more serious.