Very Hot Drinks and Oesophageal Cancer: What Does the Latest UK Research Tell Us?
For many of us, a cup of tea or coffee is part of everyday life. But could drinking them when they are very hot increase the risk of oesophageal cancer?
New research from the University of Oxford has found a link between drinking very hot drinks and an increased risk of one particular type of oesophageal cancer – squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
The research, which looked at almost one million people in the UK, found that people who preferred their drinks very hot had around three times the risk of developing SCC compared with people who preferred their drinks warm.
But there is an important distinction to understand.
There are Two Main Types of Oesophageal Cancer
There are two main types of oesophageal cancer: adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type in the UK. It usually develops in the lower part of the oesophagus and is strongly linked to long-term acid reflux and Barrett’s oesophagus.
SCC is the second most common type and is more often found in the upper and middle parts of the oesophagus.
The two types have different risk factors.
The new Oxford research is specifically about SCC – not the adenocarcinoma linked to Barrett’s oesophagus.
👉 Find out more about the two main types of oesophageal cancer, including the differences between SCC and adenocarcinoma.
What Did the New Research Find?
Researchers looked at information from 977,282 adults taking part in two large UK studies – the Million Women Study and UK Biobank.
People were asked how they liked their hot drinks: warm, hot or very hot. They were also asked how many hot drinks they had each day.
During the study, 2,348 people developed oesophageal cancer. Of these, 1,045 had SCC and 1,303 had adenocarcinoma.
People who preferred their drinks very hot had around three times the risk of developing SCC compared with those who preferred warm drinks.
The researchers also found that people drinking six or more hot drinks a day had a higher risk of SCC, even after taking the temperature of the drinks into account.
They did not find the same clear link between drink temperature and adenocarcinoma.
Is it Tea and Coffee that are the Problem?
No. The research isn’t saying that tea or coffee cause oesophageal cancer.
Tea and coffee are among the most commonly consumed hot drinks in the UK, and the research suggests that it is how hot the drink is, rather than whether it is tea or coffee, that matters.
So if you enjoy your daily cups of tea or coffee, there is no need to give them up.
If your drink is extremely hot, however, letting it cool for a few minutes before drinking it is a simple change you can make.
What does Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald say?
Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald, trustee and director of Heartburn Cancer UK and Director of the Early Cancer Institute at the University of Cambridge, said:
“We have known for a long time that hot drinks are a risk factor for squamous cancer of the oesophagus (ie not the Barrett’s associated adenocarcinoma). What was new today was that all the previous data came from Asia and Iran where this cancer type is common and now Oxford have extended this to an analysis of UK data.”
Why Might Very Hot Drinks Increase the Risk?
The thinking is that repeatedly drinking very hot liquids may damage the lining of the oesophagus.
Our bodies are very good at repairing small amounts of damage. But if the cells lining the oesophagus are repeatedly exposed to very high temperatures over many years, this may cause changes that increase the chance of cancer developing.
The research cannot prove that very hot drinks directly cause oesophageal cancer. It shows a link between the two.
The researchers also did not measure the exact temperature of people’s drinks. Instead, people reported whether they preferred their drinks warm, hot or very hot.
How Hot is too Hot?
There isn’t a simple temperature we can give you based on this research.
Previous research has linked drinking beverages at very high temperatures with an increased risk of oesophageal cancer, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies beverages above 65°C as ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’.
The simple message is: if your tea or coffee is too hot to drink comfortably, let it cool before you drink it.
Should I Stop Drinking Tea or Coffee?
No.
There is no need to give up tea or coffee because of this research.
Instead, think about how hot you drink them. Giving your freshly made tea or coffee a few minutes to cool before drinking it is a simple step that may help reduce your exposure to very high temperatures.
What Else Can Increase the Risk of Oesophageal Cancer?
The risk factors are different for the two main types of oesophageal cancer.
For SCC, smoking and alcohol are important risk factors, alongside very hot drinks.
For adenocarcinoma, long-term acid reflux and Barrett’s oesophagus are important risk factors. Being overweight or obese and smoking are also linked to an increased risk.
👉 Find out more about the two main types of oesophageal cancer.
What about Heartburn and Acid Reflux?
The findings about very hot drinks should not be confused with the link between long-term acid reflux, Barrett’s oesophagus and adenocarcinoma.
If you have heartburn or acid reflux most days for three weeks or more, speak to your GP.
And if you develop difficulty swallowing or feel as though food is sticking, make sure you get it checked.
These symptoms can have many causes and do not necessarily mean cancer. But if something is persistent, changing or worrying you, don’t ignore it.
The Bottom Line
This new UK research adds to what we already know about very hot drinks and oesophageal cancer. It suggests that drinking very hot beverages is linked to an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
It does not show the same link with adenocarcinoma, the most common type of oesophageal cancer in the UK.
You don’t need to give up your favourite tea or coffee. But if you like your drinks extremely hot, letting them cool before drinking them is a simple change worth making.
And remember, if you have persistent heartburn or acid reflux, or develop difficulty swallowing, speak to your GP and get it checked.
Don’t swallow your discomfort. Get it checked.
