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Oxford University study links very hot drinks to tripled oesophageal cancer risk
A large-scale study conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford has linked the consumption of very hot beverages, such as tea and coffee, to a significantly increased risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The research, published in the International Journal of Cancer, analyzed data from approximately 980,000 middle-aged adults in the United Kingdom through the Million Women Study and the UK Biobank over a period of roughly 14 years.
Findings indicate that individuals who prefer their drinks ‘very hot’ face a risk of developing SCC that is approximately three times higher than those who prefer warm beverages. The study also noted that consuming six or more hot drinks per day was associated with a 71% increase in risk compared to those consuming fewer than six, even after adjusting for temperature.
Researchers suggest that repeated thermal injury to the oesophageal lining may cause inflammation and cellular damage, potentially contributing to cancer development. While the study did not measure exact temperatures, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) previously classified beverages consumed above 65°C as ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’. Experts recommend allowing drinks to cool to a comfortable temperature before consumption to mitigate this risk. The study noted that the association was specific to squamous cell carcinoma and did not show a significant link to oesophageal adenocarcinoma.
Entities
Cancer Research UK · International Agency for Research on Cancer · International Journal of Cancer · Keren Papier · UK Biobank · United Kingdom · University of Oxford
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Beverages exceeding 65 degrees Celsius are classified as ‘potentially carcinogenic’. www.sawt-alasima.net · arabic.euronews.com · www.shfanews.net
- [● 2 SOURCES] Consuming more than six hot beverages daily is associated with a 71% increased risk of esophageal cancer, regardless of temperature. www.sawt-alasima.net · www.shfanews.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] People who prefer very hot beverages are more than three times as likely to develop esophageal squamous cell carcinoma compared to those who prefer warm beverages. www.sawt-alasima.net · arabic.euronews.com · www.shfanews.net
- [● 2 SOURCES] No increased risk was found for adenocarcinoma, another major type of esophageal cancer. www.sawt-alasima.net · www.shfanews.net
- [● 2 SOURCES] The study analyzed data from approximately 980,000 adults in the United Kingdom over more than a decade. www.sawt-alasima.net · www.shfanews.net
- [● 2 SOURCES] The study shows an association between hot beverages and cancer but does not prove a direct causal relationship. www.sawt-alasima.net · www.shfanews.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] Consuming very hot tea, coffee, and other beverages may increase the risk of esophageal cancer. www.sawt-alasima.net · arabic.euronews.com · www.shfanews.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] The WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies beverages consumed at temperatures above 65 degrees Celsius as Group 2A probable carcinogens. www.sportschosun.com · kormedi.com · www.seoul.co.kr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Reducing beverage temperature from 'very hot' to 'hot' could potentially prevent approximately 14% of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cases. kormedi.com · www.seoul.co.kr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Individuals who consume beverages 'very hot' have a risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma approximately 3.17 times higher than those who consume 'warm' beverages. www.sportschosun.com · kormedi.com · www.seoul.co.kr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Oxford University researchers analyzed data from 977,282 adults to investigate the link between beverage temperature and esophageal cancer. www.sportschosun.com · kormedi.com · www.seoul.co.kr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Consuming six or more hot beverages daily increases the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by 71% compared to consuming fewer than six. www.sportschosun.com · kormedi.com