Drinking tea or coffee at very hot temperatures triples the risk of developing oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, according to a major study of nearly one million UK adults published in the International Journal of Cancer. Researchers found that both high serving temperatures and consuming six or more hot drinks daily significantly elevate the risk of this specific cancer subtype.
Understanding the Mechanics of Thermally Driven Carcinogenesis
The recent analysis of nearly 980,000 participants across the UK Biobank and the Million Women Study provides robust epidemiological data connecting beverage temperature to upper gastrointestinal malignancies. Dr Keren Papier, a senior nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Oxford’s population health department, led the investigation tracking participants over a decade to evaluate long-term dietary habits against electronic health records linked through the National Health Service (NHS). The findings confirm that people who prefer their hot beverages at a “very hot” temperature face a relative risk of 3.17 for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) compared to those who choose warm drinks.
This pathological process centers on repeated thermal injury. When liquids reach high temperatures, they scald the mucosal lining of the oesophagus continuously over years. This persistent cellular trauma compromises mucosal integrity and impairs the tissue’s natural repair mechanisms. Over extended periods, damaged cells may divide aberrantly, driving carcinogenesis in the upper two-thirds of the foodpipe where the hot liquid makes its initial impact. Animal models support this biological mechanism, showing that water heated to 70°C induces early lesions and severe tissue damage.
In Plain English: The Clinical Takeaway
- Let it cool: Giving your tea or coffee time to drop below scalding temperatures is a simple, effective behavioral adjustment to protect the lining of your foodpipe.
- Frequency matters: Drinking six or more hot beverages a day independently increases SCC risk by 71 percent, even after accounting for temperature preferences.
- Targeted impact: The threefold risk elevation applies exclusively to squamous cell carcinoma; adenocarcinoma rates remained largely unaffected by beverage temperatures.
Epidemiological Comparisons and Global Public Health Consensus
While previous epidemiological studies from Asia, South America, and the Middle East documented high oesophageal cancer risks associated with very hot tea or mate, this UK cohort study confirms that the danger extends to Western populations. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified hot drinks as probably carcinogenic to humans back in 2016. The current study reinforces that guidance with a massive European dataset.
Interestingly, neither the type of beverage—tea versus coffee—nor the addition of milk altered the risk pattern. While adding cold milk lowers the initial temperature of the cup, the researchers emphasized that subjective temperature choices remain critical risk indicators. Fiona Osgun, the head of health information at Cancer Research UK, which funded the research, advises individuals to wait until a beverage feels comfortable to drink rather than consuming it while excessively hot.
| Exposure Variable | Comparison Group | Relative Risk / Impact on SCC |
|---|---|---|
| Very Hot Temperature | Warm Temperature | 3.17 Relative Risk (approx. 217% increase) |
| Hot Temperature | Warm Temperature | 69% higher risk |
| Six or More Daily Drinks | Fewer than Six Drinks | 71% higher risk |
Contraindications & When to Consult a Doctor
The insight gained from these long-term population studies highlights clear, modifiable targets for cancer prevention. Modifying everyday lifestyle habits—such as allowing morning and afternoon hot drinks to cool to a comfortable, non-scalding temperature—offers a practical, evidence-based method to lower the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma globally.
References
- Papier, K., et al. (2026). Hot beverage temperature, consumption frequency, and oesophageal cancer risk in UK cohorts. International Journal of Cancer.
- Drinking Coffee, Mate, and Very Hot Beverages. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Volume 116.
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