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Very hot tea and coffee linked to threefold risk of esophageal cancer, Oxford study finds
A University of Oxford study of nearly a million UK adults found that drinking tea or coffee very hot is associated with about a threefold higher risk of developing oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, compared with warm drinks. Hot (but not very hot) beverages carried a 1.7-fold risk, and consuming six or more hot drinks daily was linked to a 71% higher risk. Researchers stressed the findings do not mean people should stop drinking tea or coffee.
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Large Oxford study links very hot drinks to esophageal cancer risk
Regularly drinking very hot tea or coffee may raise the risk of a type of esophageal cancer, according to a large study led by researchers at Oxford Population Health, part of the University of Oxford. The findings, published in the International Journal of Cancer and funded by Cancer Research UK, are based on data from nearly a million UK adults.
The study found that people who reported drinking their beverages “very hot” had about three times the risk of developing oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a cancer that begins in the cells lining the esophagus, compared with those who drank their drinks warm. Those who drank them “hot” had about 1.7 times the risk.
“Compared with people who reported drinking their beverages ‘warm,’ those who drank them ‘hot’ had around a 1.7 times higher risk of SCC, while those who drank them ‘very hot’ had around a three times higher risk,” lead study author Keren Papier, a nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Oxford, told Fox News. The same pattern was not seen for oesophageal adenocarcinoma (AC), the other main type of the disease.
Study details and findings
The research combined data from two large UK studies: roughly half of the participants came from the Million Women Study, who were followed for an average of 14 years, and the other half from the UK Biobank, who were followed for 11 years. In total, the analysis covered 977,282 middle-aged men and women.
People who consumed six or more hot drinks per day had a 71% higher risk of esophageal SCC compared with those who drank fewer hot beverages. The association held after accounting for known risk factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption.
The study did not find a correlation between tea and coffee consumption itself and the risk of developing esophageal cancer, apart from the temperature effect. “The findings do not mean people need to stop drinking tea or coffee,” Papier said. “If you have just poured boiling water into your cup, waiting a few minutes can significantly reduce its temperature.” She also noted that some coffees served commercially can reach temperatures considerably higher than what most people find comfortable.
Context and limitations
Cancer Research UK says there are around 9,500 new cases of esophageal cancer each year in the UK. The two main types are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC). The study’s results apply specifically to SCC, the more common form in many parts of the world.
Researchers noted that more work is still needed to understand exactly how temperature, frequency of consumption, and the type of beverage affect the risk of esophageal cancer. The study does not show that everyone who drinks several cups of hot tea or coffee will develop cancer; rather, it identifies an association between beverage temperature and risk of one specific cancer type.
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Fox News — World
Framing: Hot tea and coffee linked to higher esophageal cancer risk, study finds
Facts Included:
Regularly drinking very hot tea or coffee may raise the risk of a type of esophageal cancer, according to a large study at the University of Oxford.
People who reported drinking beverages 'very hot' had about three times the risk of developing oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) compared to those who drank warm beverages.
Drinking six or more hot drinks per day was associated with a 71% higher risk of the disease.
The same link was not seen for oesophageal adenocarcinoma (AC).
The study included nearly one million adults, making it the largest investigation of its kind to date, according to lead study author Keren Papier.
Roughly half of the participants were from the Million Women Study (MWS), followed for an average of 14 years, and the other half were from the UK Biobank (UKB), followed for 11 years.
The study was published in the International Journal of Cancer.
The researchers estimated that, if the observed association reflects a true cause-and-effect relationship, about 14% of SCC cases could potentially be prevented if people drank beverages 'hot' rather than 'very hot.'
An outside cancer specialist, Dr. Aaron Sasson, chief of surgical oncology at Stony Brook Cancer Center, said it's been known that drinking hot beverages can be irritating to the esophagus and could contribute to esophageal cancer.
Sasson agreed that there was no 'objective measurement' of the drinks' temperature, which poses an unknown variable.
Smoking, heavy alcohol use, acid reflux and obesity are among the better-established risk factors for esophageal cancer, Sasson said.
Very hot drinks increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has concluded.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and examining data from across the UK, experts found clear evidence of a link, though the overall risk is very small.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts have agreed.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
There are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Very hot drinks increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has concluded.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and examining data from across the UK, experts found clear evidence of a link, though the overall risk is very small.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts have agreed.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
There are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Very hot drinks increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has concluded.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and examining data from across the UK, experts found clear evidence of a link, though the overall risk is very small.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts have agreed.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
There are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Very hot drinks increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has concluded.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and examining data from across the UK, experts found clear evidence of a link, though the overall risk is very small.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts have agreed.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
There are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Framing: emphasizes the link between hot coffee/tea drinking and increased cancer risk
Facts Included:
A study of nearly a million people found new evidence that drinking scalding hot coffees and teas could significantly increase esophageal cancer risk.
Drinking very hot beverages is associated with a three-fold risk of esophageal cancer, according to the study published in the International Journal of Cancer.
The finding applies specifically to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
There were about 604,000 new cases of esophageal cancer and about 544,000 deaths in 2020, according to IARC.
There are around 9,500 new cases each year in the UK, according to Cancer Research UK.
An estimated 14 per cent of new esophageal SCC cases in the UK could be avoided if individuals drank teas and coffees at lower temperatures, researchers from the University of Oxford said.
Just under half of participants reported consuming six or more hot drinks per day, and approximately 15 per cent said they preferred their drinks very hot.
The risk of esophageal SCC increased with preferred drink temperature; hot drinks almost doubled risk, very hot drinks more than tripled it.
Drinking six or more hot drinks a day, compared with fewer than six, was associated with a 71 per cent higher risk of esophageal SCC.
Lead study author Keren Papier told CNN that the study adds to evidence that drinking very hot and hot beverages could increase cancer risk.
Papier noted that previous studies were mostly in South America, Asia, and the Middle East, and the new study finds evidence from typical drinking habits in the UK.
The cancer risk did not change based on adding milk, provided drinks were still hot.
The chance of getting esophageal cancer remains relatively low; it makes up only 2 per cent of cancer cases in the UK, with around 1 per cent lifetime risk.
In the US, esophageal cancer is estimated to have made up just 1.1 per cent of new cancer cases this year, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Papier suggested letting drinks cool down, adding milk or cold water, blowing on it, or taking sips.
Ian Johnson, an epithelial physiologist not involved in the study, said hot liquids may damage cells lining the oesophagus and cause inflammation.
Johnson said it would be prudent to consume drinks less than 65°C, but changing habits may be difficult.
Researchers could not determine exact temperatures of drinks consumed or verify self-reported heat levels.
Papier said smoking remains the biggest risk factor for this cancer, with higher incidences in Eastern Asia and Southern and Eastern Africa.
Very hot drinks increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has concluded.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and examining data from across the UK, experts found clear evidence of a link, though the overall risk is very small.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts have agreed.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
There are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Very hot drinks increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has concluded.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and examining data from across the UK, experts found clear evidence of a link, though the overall risk is very small.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts have agreed.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
There are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Framing: The headline emphasizes a causal link between hot drinks (tea, coffee) and cancer, presenting it as a major new study finding.
Facts Included:
Researchers found clear evidence of a link between very hot drinks and oesophageal cancer, though the overall risk is very small.
The study was funded by Cancer Research UK and examined data from across the UK.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
The study did not record the temperature of drinks, but in 2016 the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Experts have agreed that letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk.
The new study said the temperature at which coffee and tea is drunk in Western populations is estimated to be around 60C.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said that while the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
The two main types of oesophageal cancer are adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
While drink temperature affected SCC risk in the study, there was no obvious impact on adenocarcinoma risk.
Overall, there are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said the study adds to existing evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Very hot drinks increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has concluded.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and examining data from across the UK, experts found clear evidence of a link, though the overall risk is very small.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts have agreed.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
There are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Framing: The headline emphasizes a tripled risk of oesophageal cancer linked to very hot tea and coffee consumption.
Facts Included:
Drinking very hot tea and coffee may triple the risk of developing oesophageal cancer, according to the world’s largest study examining the link between hot beverages and the disease.
The study found that both the temperature of hot drinks and the number of such beverages consumed were linked to a higher risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Hot drinks were not associated with an increased risk of adenocarcinoma (AC), the other major type of oesophageal cancer.
Consumption of drinks at a 'very hot' versus 'warm' temperature was associated with a threefold greater SCC risk but not with AC risk, after adjustment for consumption frequency.
Consuming six or more hot drinks daily, compared with fewer than six, was linked to a 71% rise in SCC risk.
The study was led by Dr Keren Papier, a senior nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Oxford’s population health department.
Participants were asked how they preferred to drink hot beverages, with options including 'very hot', 'hot', 'warm' and 'do not drink hot drinks'.
The study’s findings among a western European population were consistent with earlier research from Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East.
Those studies found that drinking tea or mate at temperatures of 70C or higher increased the risk of oesophageal cancer.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified hot drinks in 2016 as 'probably carcinogenic to humans'.
Hot drinks are believed to increase risk by causing heat-related damage to cells lining the oesophagus.
Alcohol consumption and smoking are also major risk factors for the disease.
The study team said health authorities could use the findings to encourage people to consume cooler drinks.
The researchers estimated that one in seven cases of SCC in the UK could be avoided if individuals who reported consuming drinks at a 'very hot' temperature instead consumed them at a temperature more representative of 'hot'.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, suggested waiting until a drink is comfortable to drink.
The charity said cafes, coffee shops and restaurants do not need to start serving tea and coffee at lower temperatures.
Muy-Teck Teh, a professor of molecular oral oncology at Queen Mary University of London, said the study’s reliance on self-reported temperatures could have influenced the findings.
Teh noted that perceived drink temperature is subjective and that it remains unclear whether individuals who prefer very hot drinks have altered thermosensation or mucosal sensitivity.
Drinking very hot tea and coffee may triple the risk of developing oesophageal cancer, according to the world’s largest study examining the link between hot beverages and the disease.
The study found that both the temperature of hot drinks and the number of such beverages consumed were linked to a higher risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Hot drinks were not associated with an increased risk of adenocarcinoma (AC), the other major type of oesophageal cancer.
Consumption of drinks at a 'very hot' versus 'warm' temperature was associated with a threefold greater SCC risk but not with AC risk, after adjustment for consumption frequency.
Consuming six or more hot drinks daily, compared with fewer than six, was linked to a 71% rise in SCC risk.
The study was led by Dr Keren Papier, a senior nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Oxford’s population health department.
Participants were asked how they preferred to drink hot beverages, with options including 'very hot', 'hot', 'warm' and 'do not drink hot drinks'.
The study’s findings among a western European population were consistent with earlier research from Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East.
Those studies found that drinking tea or mate at temperatures of 70C or higher increased the risk of oesophageal cancer.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified hot drinks in 2016 as 'probably carcinogenic to humans'.
Hot drinks are believed to increase risk by causing heat-related damage to cells lining the oesophagus.
Alcohol consumption and smoking are also major risk factors for the disease.
The study team said health authorities could use the findings to encourage people to consume cooler drinks.
The researchers estimated that one in seven cases of SCC in the UK could be avoided if individuals who reported consuming drinks at a 'very hot' temperature instead consumed them at a temperature more representative of 'hot'.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, suggested waiting until a drink is comfortable to drink.
The charity said cafes, coffee shops and restaurants do not need to start serving tea and coffee at lower temperatures.
Muy-Teck Teh, a professor of molecular oral oncology at Queen Mary University of London, said the study’s reliance on self-reported temperatures could have influenced the findings.
Teh noted that perceived drink temperature is subjective and that it remains unclear whether individuals who prefer very hot drinks have altered thermosensation or mucosal sensitivity.
Very hot drinks increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has concluded.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and examining data from across the UK, experts found clear evidence of a link, though the overall risk is very small.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts have agreed.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
There are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Very hot drinks increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has concluded.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and examining data from across the UK, experts found clear evidence of a link, though the overall risk is very small.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts have agreed.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
There are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Framing: The headline emphasizes the possibility that drinking 'very hot' drinks may increase the risk of esophageal cancer, framing the study's finding as a potential risk.
Facts Included:
A new study from the University of Oxford in the U.K. found that participants who said they drank 'hot' or 'very hot' drinks may have a higher risk of developing a type of esophageal cancer.
Cancer Research U.K. — which funded the research — noted that international research has shown for some time that drinking beverages like mate at very high temperatures is linked to increased risk of certain oesophageal cancers.
Dr. Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, told the charity: 'International research has shown for some time...'
Papier and her team analyzed data from almost one million British adults to identify possible signs of a similar link to the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the U.K.
Esophageal SCC is relatively rare in the U.K., with people having around a one per cent lifetime risk of being diagnosed.
Participants reported whether they typically drank drinks 'very hot,' 'hot,' or 'warm.'
The researchers tracked participants’ health for over 10 years to see whether they developed esophageal SCC.
Findings indicated that consuming scalding hot drinks over a long period of time could damage the lining of the esophagus, which may increase the risk of developing cancer.
Compared with those who said they consumed their drinks 'warm,' researchers found that those who preferred their beverage 'hot' had a nearly two-times higher risk of developing esophageal SCC, while those who drank them at 'very hot' temperature had a three-times higher risk.
The study did not find a correlation between tea or coffee consumption and an increased risk of developing esophageal SCC; the risk is associated with the temperature of any hot drink.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer considers a beverage 'very hot' if it is above 65 degrees Celsius, and says it is 'probably carcinogenic' to people.
Average serving temperatures of tea and coffee are generally between 71–85 degrees Celsius but are usually consumed at lower temperatures, typically 50–70 degrees Celsius, according to a study in the National Library of Medicine.
There are no specific laws or regulations in Canada requiring hot drinks to be served within a certain temperature range, though businesses can face legal liability if they serve a drink at an unreasonably high temperature.
Very hot drinks increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has concluded.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and examining data from across the UK, experts found clear evidence of a link, though the overall risk is very small.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts have agreed.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
There are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Very hot drinks increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has concluded.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and examining data from across the UK, experts found clear evidence of a link, though the overall risk is very small.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts have agreed.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
There are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Very hot drinks increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has concluded.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and examining data from across the UK, experts found clear evidence of a link, though the overall risk is very small.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts have agreed.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
There are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Framing: Highlights the increased risk (triple) of cancer associated with very hot tea and coffee, attributing the finding to an Oxford study.
Facts Included:
A major University of Oxford study of almost one million UK adults has found that drinking very hot tea and coffee may increase the risk of oesophageal cancer.
Financed by Cancer Research UK, researchers analysed data gathered from across the nation and established clear evidence connecting hot drinks to the disease, although the overall threat remains very minimal.
Consuming six or more hot beverages daily also elevated the likelihood compared to drinking fewer than six per day.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer declared beverages above 65C as 'probably carcinogenic' back in 2016.
Experts agree that adding cold milk or simply allowing drinks to cool before drinking can negate the risk.
The new study said the temperature at which coffee and tea is drunk in Western populations is estimated to be around 60C.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
She added: 'And the most important ways to reduce the risk of this cancer type are not smoking and cutting down on alcohol.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
The two main types of oesophageal cancer are adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
While drink temperature affected SCC risk in the study, there was no obvious impact on adenocarcinoma.
Overall, there are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Framing: Advises letting drinks cool down to reduce cancer risk, emphasizing a practical prevention step. — Measured and cautionary, with reassurance about low overall risk alongside practical advice.
Facts Included:
Drinking very hot beverages increases the risk of developing oesophageal cancer, the largest study into the subject has found.
Financed by Cancer Research UK, researchers analysed data gathered from across the nation and established clear evidence connecting hot drinks to the disease, although the overall threat remains very minimal.
Consuming six or more hot beverages daily also elevated the likelihood compared to drinking fewer than six per day.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer declared beverages above 65C as "probably carcinogenic" back in 2016.
Experts agree that adding cold milk or simply allowing drinks to cool before drinking can negate the risk.
The new study said the temperature at which coffee and tea is drunk in Western populations is estimated to be around 60C.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: "While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma."
Fiona Osgun said: "There is however a simple step people can take – let a cuppa cool down a little before taking a sip."
Fiona Osgun said: "And the most important ways to reduce the risk of this cancer type are not smoking and cutting down on alcohol."
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
The two main types of oesophageal cancer are adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
While drink temperature affected SCC risk in the study, there was no obvious impact on adenocarcinoma.
Overall, there are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: "International research has shown for some time that drinking beverages like mate at very high temperatures, as is typical in South America, is linked to increased risk of certain oesophageal cancers."
Dr Keren Papier said: "What was less clear, was whether this also applied to the temperatures at which hot drinks are usually consumed in Western populations."
Dr Keren Papier said: "This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily."
Dr Keren Papier said: "It adds to existing evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma."
Dr Keren Papier said: "More research is now needed to identify the exact drink temperatures linked to this increased risk."
Framing: The headline emphasizes a potential link between drinking hot tea or coffee and an increased cancer risk, framing it as a common habit with a serious consequence.
Facts Included:
Researchers from the University of Oxford have found that regularly drinking beverages at very high temperatures may be linked to a greater risk of developing oesophageal cancer.
The study looked at data from 977,282 middle-aged men and women.
People who reported drinking their tea or coffee very hot had around three times the risk of developing oesophageal cancer compared with those who drank their beverages warm.
The study classified drinks at 65 degrees Celsius or above as very hot.
Once poured into a cup, tea or coffee may still remain around 90 to 95 degrees Celsius.
Consuming six or more hot drinks a day was associated with a higher risk.
Smoking and alcohol consumption are among the important established risk factors for oesophageal cancer.
Adding milk may lower the temperature of tea or coffee slightly, but researchers caution that a milky drink can still be too hot if it is consumed immediately after preparation.
Possible warning signs include persistent heartburn, indigestion, difficulty swallowing, pain in the throat or chest and unexplained weight loss.
Framing: Headline emphasizes the link between hot drinks and cancer, using the word 'linked' and 'major new study'.
Facts Included:
Very hot drinks increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has concluded.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and examining data from across the UK, experts found clear evidence of a link, though the overall risk is very small.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts have agreed.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
There are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Framing: The headline asserts a causal link between hot drinks and throat cancer, emphasizing the study's conclusion.
Facts Included:
Very hot drinks increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has concluded.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and examining data from across the UK, experts found clear evidence of a link, though the overall risk is very small.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
The study did not record the temperature of drinks but, in 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts have agreed.
The new study said the temperature at which coffee and tea is drunk in Western populations is estimated to be around 60C.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Osgun also said: 'There is however a simple step people can take – let a cuppa cool down a little before taking a sip.'
Osgun further said: 'And the most important ways to reduce the risk of this cancer type are not smoking and cutting down on alcohol.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
The two main types of oesophageal cancer are adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
While drink temperature affected SCC risk in the study, there was no obvious impact on adenocarcinoma risk.
Overall, there are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'International research has shown for some time that drinking beverages like mate at very high temperatures, as is typical in South America, is linked to increased risk of certain oesophageal cancers.'
Papier also said: 'What was less clear, was whether this also applied to the temperatures at which hot drinks are usually consumed in Western populations.'
Papier further said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Papier added: 'It adds to existing evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
Papier concluded: 'More research is now needed to identify the exact drink temperatures linked to this increased risk.'
Very hot drinks increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has concluded.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and examining data from across the UK, experts found clear evidence of a link, though the overall risk is very small.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts have agreed.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
There are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Very hot drinks increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has concluded.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and examining data from across the UK, experts found clear evidence of a link, though the overall risk is very small.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts have agreed.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
There are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Framing: Emphasizes a common habit (coffee and tea) linked to a higher risk of a specific cancer type.
Facts Included:
Regularly drinking very hot tea or coffee may raise the risk of a type of esophageal cancer, according to a large study at the University of Oxford.
People who reported drinking beverages 'very hot' had about three times the risk of developing oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) compared to those who drank warm beverages.
Drinking six or more hot drinks per day was associated with a 71% higher risk of the disease.
The same link was not seen for esophageal adenocarcinoma (AC).
The study included nearly 1 million K. adults.
Lead study author Keren Papier is a nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Oxford.
Roughly half of the participants were from the Million Women Study (MWS), followed for an average of 14 years; the other half were from the UK Biobank (UKB), followed for 11 years.
The study was published in the International Journal of Cancer.
Papier noted: 'A limitation of our study was that, although we examined associations by self-reported preferred drink temperature, we did not have data on directly measured drink temperatures.'
Dr. Aaron Sasson, chief of surgical oncology at Stony Brook Cancer Center, said drinking hot beverages can irritate the esophagus and contribute to esophageal cancer.
Sasson said: 'The hotter the liquid, the higher the risk of a thermal injury.'
Sasson noted there was no 'objective measurement' of the drinks' temperature.
Sasson advised: 'If you are a heavy consumer of hot tea or coffee, maybe you'd want to cool it down a little bit.'
Very hot drinks increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has concluded.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and examining data from across the UK, experts found clear evidence of a link, though the overall risk is very small.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts have agreed.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
There are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Very hot drinks increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has concluded.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and examining data from across the UK, experts found clear evidence of a link, though the overall risk is very small.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts have agreed.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
There are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Very hot drinks increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has concluded.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and examining data from across the UK, experts found clear evidence of a link, though the overall risk is very small.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts have agreed.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
There are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Framing: The headline emphasizes the potential cancer risk from drinking very hot drinks and poses a question about safe temperature. — Reassuring yet cautionary
Facts Included:
The study, published in the International Journal of Cancer, found that those who regularly drank very hot tea or coffee had about three times the risk of developing oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Scientists at Oxford Population Health studied nearly 980,000 people from two UK studies and tracked their health for more than ten years.
Those who preferred their drinks 'hot' saw a 70% bump in risk, and those who wanted beverages 'very hot' had triple the risk compared to those drinking them warm.
Drinking frequency mattered too; six or more cups of hot beverages a day pushed the risk up even more.
Only one type of oesophageal cancer, SCC, showed this link; the other major type, adenocarcinoma, didn’t seem affected.
The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer has been flagging this since 2016, classifying drinks above 65°C (or about 150°F) as 'probably carcinogenic.'
Very hot drinks increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, the largest study of its kind has concluded.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and examining data from across the UK, experts found clear evidence of a link, though the overall risk is very small.
Consuming six or more hot drinks per day also pushed up the risk compared to drinking fewer than six.
In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages (above 65C) as 'probably carcinogenic'.
Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts have agreed.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer remains relatively low in the UK, this research does add to the evidence that drinking very hot drinks could increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.'
Experts believe very hot drinks may damage the cells lining the oesophagus, which could increase the chance of cancer developing.
For the new study, experts from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford looked at data from around 980,000 adults by combining two large UK studies – UK Biobank and the Million Women Study.
There are around 9,500 cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
Dr Keren Papier, lead researcher and senior nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health, said: 'This is now the largest study to look at that question in a UK population, where many people drink tea and coffee daily.'
Framing: Emphasizes the potential risk: drinking very hot drinks could triple the risk of oesophageal cancer, according to a study. — Measured and cautionary, presenting both the risk and limitations.
Facts Included:
Drinking very hot tea and coffee triples the risk of developing cancer of the gullet, the world’s largest study of the link between them has found.
The findings show that people should let very hot cups of tea and coffee cool down until they are comfortable to drink, in order to reduce their risk of the disease, cancer experts said.
The temperature of the drink and the number of very hot drinks someone consumes increase the chances of getting oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the research found.
The study was published on Wednesday in the International Journal of Cancer.
According to the study, “Consumption of drinks at a ‘very hot’ versus ‘warm’ temperature was associated with a threefold greater SCC risk but not with AC risk, after adjustment for consumption frequency”.
Daily consumption of six or more versus fewer than six hot drinks was associated with a 71% increase in SCC risk, with little association with AC risk.
The study was led by Dr Keren Papier, a senior nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Oxford’s population health department.
The findings are based on analysis of the consumption of hot drinks by almost 980,000 people in the UK – the largest number of people globally in any related studies to date.
Participants were asked how they preferred to consume hot drinks, with answers including “very hot”, “hot”, “warm” and “do not drink hot drinks”.
The conclusions were based on people’s estimation of how hot the drinks were that they had consumed rather than their exact temperatures.
The study produced conclusions for a western European population that mirrored similar findings already seen in studies in Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East, which found that drinking tea or mate at or above 70C increased the risk of oesophageal cancer.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer said in 2016 that hot drinks were “probably carcinogenic to humans” and “one probable cause of oesophageal cancer”.
Alcohol and smoking are other major risk factors for that type of cancer.
One in seven cases of SCC in the UK “could be avoided if individuals who reported consuming their drinks at a ‘very hot’ temperature instead consumed them at a temperature more representative of the temperature range described as ‘hot’.
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, which funded the study, said: “It’s difficult to put an exact time on how long a hot drink should be left to cool.”
Cancer Research UK suggests waiting until a drink is comfortable to drink rather than drinking it while it’s still very hot.
The charity does not believe that cafes, coffee shops and restaurants should start serving tea and coffee at a lower temperature.
Teh said a key limitation is that perceived drink temperature is inherently subjective, and it remains unclear whether individuals who prefer very hot drinks have altered thermosensation or mucosal sensitivity that might reflect underlying biological predisposition to SCC.
ClaimCompared with people who reported drinking beverages 'warm', those who drank them 'hot' had around a 1.7 times higher risk of esophageal SCC, while those who drank them 'very hot' had around a three times higher risk.
ClaimThe hot drink consumption study analyzed data from around 980,000 UK adults, the largest group studied globally in research on this subject to date.
ClaimRoughly half of the participants in the study were from the Million Women Study, who were followed for an average of 14 years, and the other half were from the UK Biobank, who were followed for 11 years.
ClaimParticipants in the study were asked how they preferred their hot drinks, with answer options including 'very hot', 'hot', 'warm', and 'do not drink hot drinks'.
ConfidenceHigh
StatusMulti-source (2 outlets · 20 publishers) via Kentlive, Bristol Post, +18 more
ClaimThe study found that only one type of oesophageal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), showed a link with hot drink temperature; hot drinks did not heighten the risk of developing adenocarcinoma (AC), the other form of oesophageal cancer.
ClaimThe study observed a clear trend in risk across self-reported temperature categories, suggesting that further limiting the temperature at which individuals consume their drinks to something well below average could reduce risk.
ClaimLead author Katarina Papier said that the most important ways to reduce the risk of oesophageal cancer are not smoking and cutting down on alcohol.
ClaimThe study noted that the incidence of squamous carcinoma of the esophagus is quite low, with people having around a one per cent lifetime risk of being diagnosed, so even if a person's risk increases slightly from very hot drink consumption, it will likely remain low overall.
ClaimThe researchers were not able to explore the exact temperatures of the drinks consumed by participants, who could have different perceptions of heat, and so could not determine whether the self-reported heat levels were accurate.
ClaimMuy-Teck Teh, a professor of molecular oral oncology at Queen Mary University of London, said the study's reliance on self-reported temperatures was a limitation.
ClaimResearchers say more work is still needed to understand exactly how temperature, frequency of consumption and the type of beverage affect the risk of oesophageal cancer.
ClaimPapier noted that for most people, hot drink temperature is not the predominant risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, and that limiting alcohol consumption and eliminating cigarette smoking would be more beneficial.
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8 outlets · 30 publishers · 32 articles consulted: Fox News — World, Bristol Post, Cambridge Evening News, Cheshire Live, Coventry Telegraph, CP24, Daily Post, Derby Telegraph, Devon Live, Essexlive, Free Press Journal, Teessidelive, Surrey Advertiser, Global News, Gloucestershire Live, Grimsby Telegraph, Hull Daily Mail, The Independent, India Today, Kentlive, LBC, Leicester Mercury, Nottinghamshire Live, New York Post, Plymouth Live, Somerset Live, Stoke Sentinel, The Times of India, South Wales Echo, The Guardian — World24 claims extractedVersion 1Written 2026-09-12