Hot drinks heighten esophageal cancer risk

A new study links very hot coffee and tea to a higher risk of esophageal cancer and urges people to cool their drinks.

Hot drinks heighten esophageal cancer risk prompts health guidance

A large study using UK Biobank data followed more than 500,000 people to examine how hot beverage temperature relates to esophageal cancer. The researchers found that drinking eight or more cups of very hot drinks daily was linked to a risk up to six times higher than for people who do not drink hot drinks. The risk rose with the amount of very hot liquid and was also seen for beverages at lower temperatures, though to a smaller extent.

Experts say the evidence supports avoiding very hot drinks. The study places hot beverages in a broader risk category about cancer and heat damage. Yet most esophageal cancer cases occur in older adults and many people drink coffee or tea at cooler temperatures. There is no routine screening for this cancer, and clinicians emphasize moderation and letting drinks cool before sipping.

The finding challenges a daily ritual for millions and shows how small, routine choices can influence long term health. It also reveals limits in cancer prevention where simple habits can reduce risk but not erase it. The message is clearer at higher temperatures, but caution remains important for overall diet and lifestyle.

Public health messaging should balance clarity with practicality. People do not drink coffee to avoid cancer, but incremental changes can add up over time. These results invite a broader conversation about how we mix pleasure and health in everyday life.

Highlights

As taste meets risk, everyday choices may shape future health outcomes.