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Your Hot Cuppa Tea Or Coffee May Raise Your Cancer Risk, Study Suggests

Love Your Hot Cuppa? It May Be Raising Your Cancer Risk, Suggests A Study

The Hidden Risk of Very Hot Drinks

Drinking hot tea or coffee can be a real source of comfort as a wake-up time ritual or a relaxing activity after work. But how hot is too hot? And could everyday habits like burning the bridge with your tea or brushing past frequent heartburn be putting you at risk for serious health problems? New research indicates that temperature and long-term irritation of the food pipe (esophagus) may be more important than many realize in the risk of <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/cancer">cancer</a></span>.

<h2><span rel="noindex">The Hidden Risk Of Very Hot Drinks</span></h2>

It’s not the tea or coffee, it’s the temperature. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified “drinking very hot beverages” (i.e., those that are consumed at greater than 65°C (149°F) as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Repeated incidents of hot liquids in the esophagus lining can lead to damage over time.

In support of this, a meta-analysis of 39 studies totaling more than 42,000 participants, published in BMC Cancer (2015), found that hot beverages and foods were associated with a significantly higher risk of esophageal cancer, ranging from an overall increase of about 82%.

A recent prospective cohort study published in the British Journal of Cancer (2025) based on UK Biobank data has again pointed out the association of drinking very hot beverages frequently with increased risk of esophageal cancer.

The mechanism is simple but scary. Repeatedly consuming very hot liquids can damage the fragile lining of the esophagus, through repeated thermal injury. Over time this repetitive damage may lead to:

<ul><li>Chronic inflammation</li><li>Increased cell turnover</li><li>Greater likelihood of abnormal cell growth</li></ul>

This process can create an environment where cancer is more likely to develop.

But hot drinks are just part of the picture. Another risk factor is frequent heartburn/acid reflux - which is the back flow of stomach acid into the esophagus. Chronic exposure to acid is a risk factor for developing the condition known as Barrett’s esophagus, which has a higher risk of progressing to esophageal cancer.

Research published in Gastroenterology (2014) shows that long-term gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is strongly associated with an increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. When combined, heat damage from hot drinks and chemical irritation from acid reflux may further increase the risk.

<strong>An important point:</strong> Tea and Coffee are NOT the issue. In fact, a number of studies have shown that these drinks may have some healthy benefits due to their antioxidant content. The issue is drinking these drinks at very high temperatures.

The good news is that small changes can make a meaningful difference.

<ul><li>Letting hot drinks cool slightly before sipping</li><li>Avoiding frequent consumption of very hot liquids</li><li>Managing heartburn symptoms early</li><li>Seeking medical advice for persistent acid reflux</li></ul>

Even pausing a few minutes before sipping your tea or coffee can help cut out some of the risks. You don’t have to sacrifice your daily cup of tea or coffee for your health, but how you drink it does matter.

Scientific research indicates that chronic heartburn and very hot drinks can, over time, damage the esophagus and possibly increase <span>cancer risk</span>. Simple changes like enjoying your drinks at a lower temperature and tackling reflux can help to safeguard your long-term health without giving up those drinks you love.

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Drinking hot tea or coffee can be a real source of comfort as a wake-up time ritual or a relaxing activity after work. But how hot is too hot? And could everyday habits like burning the bridge with your tea or brushing past frequent heartburn be putting you at risk for serious health problems? New research indicates that temperature and long-term irritation of the food pipe (esophagus) may be more important than many realize in the risk of cancer.The Hidden Risk Of Very Hot Drinks        It’s not the tea or coffee, it’s the temperature. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified “drinking very hot beverages” (i.e., those that are consumed at greater than 65°C (149°F) as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Repeated incidents of hot liquids in the esophagus lining can lead to damage over time.In support of this, a meta-analysis of 39 studies totaling more than 42,000 participants, published in BMC Cancer (2015), found that hot beverages and foods were associated with a significantly higher risk of esophageal cancer, ranging from an overall increase of about 82%.A recent prospective cohort study published in the British Journal of Cancer (2025) based on UK Biobank data has again pointed out the association of drinking very hot beverages frequently with increased risk of esophageal cancer.What Happens Inside The Body?The mechanism is simple but scary. Repeatedly consuming very hot liquids can damage the fragile lining of the esophagus, through repeated thermal injury. Over time this repetitive damage may lead to:Chronic inflammationIncreased cell turnoverGreater likelihood of abnormal cell growthThis process can create an environment where cancer is more likely to develop.Where Heartburn Fits InBut hot drinks are just part of the picture. Another risk factor is frequent heartburn/acid reflux - which is the back flow of stomach acid into the esophagus. Chronic exposure to acid is a risk factor for developing the condition known as Barrett’s esophagus, which has a higher risk of progressing to esophageal cancer.Research published in Gastroenterology (2014) shows that long-term gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is strongly associated with an increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. When combined, heat damage from hot drinks and chemical irritation from acid reflux may further increase the risk.An important point: Tea and Coffee are NOT the issue. In fact, a number of studies have shown that these drinks may have some healthy benefits due to their antioxidant content. The issue is drinking these drinks at very high temperatures.How To Reduce Your RiskThe good news is that small changes can make a meaningful difference.Experts recommend:Letting hot drinks cool slightly before sippingAvoiding frequent consumption of very hot liquidsManaging heartburn symptoms earlySeeking medical advice for persistent acid refluxEven pausing a few minutes before sipping your tea or coffee can help cut out some of the risks. You don’t have to sacrifice your daily cup of tea or coffee for your health, but how you drink it does matter.Scientific research indicates that chronic heartburn and very hot drinks can, over time, damage the esophagus and possibly increase cancer risk. Simple changes like enjoying your drinks at a lower temperature and tackling reflux can help to safeguard your long-term health without giving up those drinks you love.

hot drinks and heartburn: could your daily habits be raising cancer risk?

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