Cool your cuppa: UK study links very hot drinks to higher esophageal cancer risk

A UK study analyzing nearly 1 million adults (UK Biobank and Million Women Study) found that drinking very hot beverages substantially increases the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, with about 1.7x higher risk for hot drinks and around 3x for very hot ones; consuming six or more hot drinks daily raises risk further. Although exact temperatures weren’t recorded, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has long considered beverages above 65C as probably carcinogenic. Experts say letting drinks cool or adding cold milk can negate the risk, and while the overall risk is still relatively low, reducing temperature and avoiding smoking and heavy alcohol use are advised.