Hot Drinks & Cancer Risk: Is Your Tea Too Hot? Beware Esophageal Damage!

• Drinking beverages hotter than 65°C (149°F) can cause thermal injuries to the sensitive esophagus.
• Regular consumption of scalding hot drinks leads to a cycle of injury and healing, potentially causing abnormal cell changes and esophageal cancer.
• Global studies, including UK Biobank, confirm the risk is due to extreme heat, not the drink's ingredients like tea, coffee, or 'Mate'.
• The esophagus lacks a protective lining, making it vulnerable to heat-induced inflammation, DNA damage, and uncontrolled cell growth.
• Reduce risk by waiting 4-5 minutes for drinks to cool (to ~58°C), adding cold milk/water, or leaving cups uncovered.

Why It Matters: Excessively hot drinks (above 65°C) can cause esophageal cancer; cool them down before drinking to stay safe.