Habitual consumption of beverages like tea and coffee at very high temperatures increases the risk of esophageal cancer. This is suggested by research conducted by scientists from the University of Oxford (United Kingdom).
The researchers claim that these results, obtained from a study involving nearly a million people, make it the largest study to date establishing this relationship. The study details are published in the scientific journal 'International Journal of Cancer'.
According to the study's conclusions, individuals who consumed their drinks "very hot" had an approximately three times higher risk of developing this type of cancer compared to those who drank tea or coffee at a warm temperature, although experts emphasize that the overall chances of developing this cancer are low.
The link between this consumption and cancer could be due to the fact that very hot liquids can damage the esophagus's cell lining as they pass to the stomach. Therefore, it is advised to wait a few minutes before drinking to allow the beverage to cool to a safer temperature.
The study defined any beverage at 65 degrees Celsius or higher as "very hot" and posing a potential risk.
Tea prepared just after the water has reached boiling point is, therefore, around 100 degrees Celsius. Once poured into a cup, the temperature drops to about 90 or 95 degrees Celsius.
Consuming six or more hot beverages a day also increases the risk, according to data from 977,282 middle-aged men and women.
The study also found that consuming six or more hot beverages a day also increased the risk of developing the tumor.
The researchers suggest that approximately one or two out of every ten esophageal cancers could be prevented if people stopped consuming very hot beverages.
Esophageal squamous cell cancer is rare and affects a few thousand people each year.
In this regard, scientists point out that although very hot drinks may increase an individual's risk, the chances of developing cancer remain low. Other factors, such as smoking, pose a greater risk.