Very Hot Drinks May Triple Risk of a Certain Cancer

Your morning mug might be doing more than waking you up. A massive study of nearly a million people in the UK suggests that routinely drinking very hot beverages can sharply raise the risk of a specific throat cancer. Published in the International Journal of Cancer, the research found people who said they liked their tea or coffee "very hot" had about three times the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) compared with those who preferred "warm" drinks, per People; "hot" drinkers saw roughly double the risk. Downing six or more hot drinks a day also bumped up the risk by 71%, regardless of the temperature category.

"Very hot" drinks were pegged at around 149 degrees Fahrenheit, "hot" around 140, though participants self-reported their preferences. Scientists concluded that one in seven SCC cases could be prevented if individuals consuming "very hot" drinks let them cool to a "hot" temperature instead, per the Guardian. They think repeated "thermal injury" to the esophagus can trigger inflammation, damage its protective lining, and make it more vulnerable to carcinogens such as tobacco. Though the study didn't explore this, one outside researcher suggests some people may prefer hotter drinks and therefore be predisposed to SCC due to lower mouth sensitivity. (The study echoes findings from other parts of the world.)