Regularly drinking hot drinks can cause cancer: Expert warni ..

How we begin our mornings defines a lot about our health, because for many of us life does not properly begin until that first sip of coffee or tea. But before you clutch your steaming cup like a lifeline, here is a wake up call you did not order. Research shows that drinking beverages hotter than 65 degrees Celsius could do more than scorch your tongue, it could actually raise your risk of oesophageal cancer.

The World Health Organization has been cautioning about this for years, classifying drinks consumed above 65 degrees as “probably carcinogenic.” The danger is not in the beverage itself but in the heat. Whether it is coffee, chai, soup or plain water, consuming it at scalding temperatures can injure the oesophageal lining. Repeated burns may cause inflammation and structural changes in cells that can eventually lead to cancer.

Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma is the type most strongly linked to very hot drinks. The worrying part is that symptoms like trouble swallowing or unexplained weight loss often show up late, making the disease harder to detect and treat.

Studies from countries like Iran, China and parts of South America, where sipping near boiling tea is a cultural norm, show significantly higher rates of oesophageal cancer. The conclusion is simple, the hotter the liquid, the higher the risk.

So what counts as safe? Anything below 65 degrees Celsius. The trouble is most people drink their tea or coffee between 70 and 85 degrees. To stay safe, health experts suggest letting your drink cool for a few minutes, stirring it, or adding a splash of milk or cold water.

Your patience may be tested, but your throat will thank you in the long run.
**This news was published on Times of India on 18th August 2025.

 

 

 

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