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Drinking tea or coffee while it is very hot may be linked to a higher risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, according to a large new study. The research looked at nearly one million adults and found that the reported temperature of hot drinks was associated with cancer risk.
The findings do not mean that drinking tea or coffee causes cancer. Instead, they add to growing evidence that very high beverage temperatures may matter, particularly when hot drinks are consumed frequently.
In this article, you'll learn what the study found, why very hot drinks may affect the oesophagus, and what you can do to reduce unnecessary heat exposure.
Key Takeaways
- Very hot drinks were associated with a higher risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
- The study included 977,282 adults and followed participants for more than 10 years.
- People who preferred their drinks “very hot” had about three times the relative risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma compared with those who preferred warm drinks.
- The association was observed for squamous cell carcinoma but not oesophageal adenocarcinoma.
- Allowing very hot drinks to cool before drinking may be a simple precaution.
What Did the New Study Find?
Researchers from the University of Oxford analyzed data from two large UK cohorts, the UK Biobank and the Million Women Study. Together, they included 977,282 adults who were followed for more than a decade.
During the follow-up period, researchers identified 2,348 cases of oesophageal cancer, including cases of both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
Participants reported whether they generally drank tea or coffee at a warm, hot, or very hot temperature. Those who preferred their drinks very hot had a higher relative risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma than people who preferred warm drinks.
The association was not observed for oesophageal adenocarcinoma, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between different types of oesophageal cancer.
Does Drinking Tea or Coffee Cause Oesophageal Cancer?
The study does not show that tea or coffee themselves cause oesophageal cancer.
The researchers found that the association was linked primarily to beverage temperature rather than whether the beverage was tea or coffee. This distinction is important because the study examined beverage temperature and consumption patterns rather than proving that a specific drink causes cancer.
The findings are also consistent with earlier research suggesting that regularly consuming beverages at very high temperatures may be associated with oesophageal cancer risk.
Why Might Very Hot Drinks Affect the Oesophagus?
The oesophagus is the muscular tube that carries food and drinks from the mouth to the stomach. Repeated exposure to very high temperatures may cause thermal injury to the lining of the oesophagus, potentially contributing to irritation and cellular damage.
This repeated heat exposure is one possible explanation for the association observed in the study. However, the exact biological mechanisms are still being investigated.
How Hot Is Too Hot?
One limitation of the study is that researchers did not measure the exact temperature of every drink. Instead, participants reported whether they usually consumed drinks as “warm,” “hot,” or “very hot.”
Previous research has raised particular concerns about beverages consumed at temperatures around 70°C or higher.
For everyday use, the practical message is simple: avoid drinking beverages while they are hot enough to burn or scald your mouth or throat.
Does Drinking More Hot Drinks Increase the Risk?
The study also found that frequency appeared to play a role. After accounting for beverage temperature, people who consumed six or more hot drinks per day had a higher relative risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma than those consuming fewer hot drinks.
This does not mean that everyone who drinks several cups of tea or coffee will develop cancer. The finding describes an association within a large population and does not determine an individual's personal risk.
Which Type of Oesophageal Cancer Was Linked to Hot Drinks?
The association was observed specifically for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Oesophageal cancer includes different subtypes, most notably squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. In this study, beverage temperature was associated with SCC but not with adenocarcinoma.
This distinction is important because the two cancer types have different patterns of risk and may be influenced by different factors.
Should You Stop Drinking Tea or Coffee?
There is no need to stop drinking tea or coffee solely because of this study.
A more practical approach is to allow very hot beverages to cool before drinking them. Reducing the temperature of drinks may be a simple precaution, particularly for people who regularly consume very hot beverages.
Other established risk factors for oesophageal cancer are also important. Smoking and alcohol consumption are recognized risk factors for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, so addressing these factors remains an important part of cancer prevention.
What Can You Do to Reduce Your Risk?
A few simple habits can help reduce unnecessary heat exposure:
- Let tea, coffee, and other hot beverages cool before drinking.
- Avoid beverages that cause a burning sensation in the mouth or throat.
- Avoid smoking.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Seek medical advice for persistent swallowing problems or other concerning symptoms.
The goal is not to avoid hot beverages altogether, but to avoid very high temperatures and other preventable risk factors.
What Symptoms Should You Not Ignore?
Oesophageal cancer may not cause obvious symptoms in its early stages. Persistent difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, ongoing chest discomfort, persistent indigestion, or vomiting should be medically evaluated.
These symptoms can have many causes and do not necessarily indicate cancer. However, persistent or worsening symptoms should not be ignored.
What Does the Research Mean for Everyday Life?
The study adds to evidence suggesting that temperature may be an overlooked factor in oesophageal cancer prevention. For people who regularly drink tea, coffee, or other hot beverages, simply allowing them to cool to a comfortable temperature may be a reasonable precaution.
At the same time, the study has limitations. Beverage temperature was self-reported rather than directly measured, so further research is needed to better establish the temperature ranges associated with risk.
Clinical Insight
Emerging evidence suggests that regularly consuming very hot beverages may be associated with an increased risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. This does not mean tea or coffee themselves cause cancer, and individual risk depends on many factors. Allowing very hot drinks to cool before consumption is a simple precaution, alongside established measures such as avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol.
Which Department Should I Visit?
Persistent difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, recurrent chest discomfort, or ongoing digestive symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Further tests or specialist referrals may be recommended based on the initial evaluation.
References
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) — https://www.iarc.who.int/
- World Health Organization (WHO) — https://www.who.int/
- Cancer Research UK — https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/
- International Journal of Cancer — https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10970215