Drinking scalding-hot beverages may be linked to a higher risk of esophageal cancer, the Ministry of Health warns, according to infohub.kz.
Officials cite a study by researchers at the University of Oxford. They analyzed data from nearly a million people and found that the temperature of drinks matters.
In the study, people who preferred very hot beverages had more than three times the risk of squamous cell esophageal cancer compared with those who drank only warm beverages.
In addition, drinking six or more cups of hot beverages a day was associated with a 71% increase in the risk of this type of cancer.
The researchers found no significant difference between tea and coffee.
How hot drinks can affect the esophagus
The esophagus is a muscular tube that carries food and liquid from the mouth to the stomach. Its inner surface is lined with a protective mucous membrane.
Regularly drinking scalding beverages can damage this lining.
Drinking hot tea or coffee does not in itself mean a person will develop cancer. Various factors influence the development of the disease, including smoking and alcohol consumption.
There is no need to cut favorite drinks out of your diet. Instead, it is better to let tea and coffee cool a little before drinking.
Earlier, Kursiv Health wrote about a habit that raises the risk of stomach cancer — overeating.