Study Links Very Hot Drinks to Esophageal Cancer Risk

A study of nearly one million people published in the International Journal of Cancer suggests that consuming beverages at 65 degrees Celsius or above triples the risk of esophageal cancer.

Researchers found that scalding liquids can damage the cell lining of the food pipe, with data indicating that one or two in every 10 such cancers could be avoided by cooling drinks.

While the overall lifetime risk of this cancer remains low at approximately 1%, experts advise waiting a few minutes for tea or coffee to reach a safer temperature before consumption.