Very Hot Tea and Coffee May Raise Esophageal Cancer Risk

For many people in India, tea or coffee is part of the daily routine. A hot cup in the morning can feel refreshing, while another cup during a tiring day can provide a familiar break. The concern begins when the drink is consumed almost immediately after it is prepared, while it is still hot enough to burn the mouth.

Health experts have warned that regularly drinking extremely hot beverages may increase the risk of damage to the esophagus, the tube that carries food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach. The concern is not specifically about tea or coffee themselves, but about the temperature at which they are consumed.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, has classified drinking very hot beverages at temperatures above 65 degrees Celsius as probably carcinogenic to humans. This does not mean that drinking tea or coffee automatically causes cancer. Instead, the evidence points to a possible cancer risk associated with regularly consuming beverages at extremely high temperatures.

The esophagus has a delicate inner lining that can be irritated by repeated exposure to excessive heat. When a person repeatedly consumes drinks that are extremely hot, the tissue can experience repeated thermal injury. The body then has to repair the affected cells, and repeated damage and repair may contribute to abnormal cellular changes over time.

This is why the temperature of a beverage matters. A normal cup of tea or coffee that has been allowed to cool is not considered the same risk as a drink consumed at an extremely high temperature.

The habit can be particularly easy to overlook because people may not think twice about how hot their morning drink is. Some wait only long enough to pour the beverage into a cup before drinking it. If it is still producing significant steam and feels uncomfortable on the lips or tongue, allowing it to cool further is a sensible precaution.

Very hot beverages can also cause immediate discomfort. A person may experience burning or irritation in the mouth and throat after drinking something that is too hot. Repeated irritation is more concerning because the exposure happens again and again over a long period.

Symptoms involving the esophagus should not simply be blamed on hot drinks. Difficulty swallowing, persistent throat discomfort, chest burning or unexplained voice changes can have several possible causes. Anyone experiencing persistent or worsening symptoms should speak with a qualified healthcare professional rather than trying to identify the cause at home.

A simple change in routine can reduce unnecessary exposure to extreme heat. Instead of drinking tea or coffee immediately after preparation, people can leave the cup aside for several minutes and allow the temperature to come down before taking a sip.

There is no need to give up tea or coffee simply because of this concern. The important point is to avoid regularly consuming them at temperatures that are extremely hot. The drink itself and its temperature should be considered separately.

For people who enjoy their morning tea or coffee, waiting a few minutes may therefore be a worthwhile habit. It can make the drink more comfortable to consume and reduce exposure to the very high temperatures associated with the reported esophageal cancer risk.

The broader message is straightforward. Tea and coffee can remain part of an everyday routine, but drinking them while they are extremely hot is a habit worth reconsidering. Allowing the beverage to cool before drinking is a small step that can help avoid repeated heat exposure to sensitive tissues.