Scalding beverages linked to higher oesophageal cancer risk, study finds

Researchers have highlighted that consuming very hot drinks can injure the delicate lining of the oesophagus and may increase the likelihood of developing cancer, according to BBC News. The concern centres on liquids served at temperatures above 65 °C (149 °F), which are hot enough to cause thermal injury to cells as the fluid travels down the food pipe.

The BBC report cites a series of epidemiological studies that observed a correlation between habitual consumption of scalding beverages and a rise in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, a form of cancer that affects the upper part of the throat. In regions where tea is traditionally poured boiling hot, such as parts of the United Kingdom and East Asia, the incidence of this cancer has been notably higher than in populations that drink cooler liquids.

Health authorities have responded by advising the public to allow drinks to cool for a few minutes before swallowing. The World Health Organization, which classifies drinking very hot beverages as “probably carcinogenic to humans,” supports this guidance and recommends keeping temperatures below 65 °C to minimise tissue damage.

Why the temperature matters Thermal injury occurs when the heat of a beverage exceeds the threshold that the mucosal cells can tolerate, leading to microscopic burns. Repeated injury can trigger chronic inflammation, a known pathway that can promote malignant transformation. The risk is not limited to tea; coffee, hot chocolate and even traditional herbal infusions can pose the same threat if served too hot.

Broader implications Esophageal cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers worldwide, with survival rates remaining low due to late diagnosis. By reducing a modifiable risk factor such as beverage temperature, public health campaigns hope to lower the disease burden. Experts suggest that simple measures—like using a thermometer, stirring drinks, or waiting a minute after pouring—could have a measurable impact on population health.

While the link between hot drinks and cancer does not imply that occasional consumption is dangerous, the consensus among researchers is clear: habitually drinking liquids at scalding temperatures is a preventable risk factor that warrants attention.