Tea, coffee, cocoa: How hot drinks increase our cancer risk
Study: The cancer risk increases by 90 percent
Do you let your tea or coffee cool down before you drink it? Or are you one of the more impatient people who drink it right after pouring it, no matter how hot? If the latter is the case, you risk one day developing esophageal cancer.
A large-scale study has now revealed a link between hot drinks and esophageal cancer. Iranian scientists watched the drinking habits of more than 50,000 people between the ages of 40 and 75 for ten years. 317 of these persons were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma? All concerned had liked to drink their tea very hot.
The researchers concluded that people who drink more than 0.7 liters of tea a day that is at least 60 degrees Celsius have a 90 percent increased risk of developing malignant tumors on the esophagus.
Better to blow longer!
The study, which measured drinking temperatures for the first time, confirms the results of earlier studies. Even the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the "drinking of very hot drinks at more than 65 degrees Celsius" as "possibly carcinogenic" and explicitly included coffee and cocoa. The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) also warns of hot drinks in connection with esophageal cancer. It is fitting that carcinoma occurs more frequently in East Asia, where traditionally a lot of tea is drunk.
Researchers speculate that the heat can cause cell damage and inflammation of the esophagus, which in turn damages the DNA. As a late consequence could then develop cancer. "Hot drinks can lead to injuries and damage to the esophagus and thus also increase the risk of cancer," said Gunter Kuhnle of the British University of Reading, according to "Handelsblatt".
Fortunately, esophageal cancer is a relatively rare disease in Germany, often caused by smoking and alcohol. But she often runs particularly agonizing and has little chance of recovery. Therefore: Let the beloved drink cool a bit better! Not for nothing it says: "wait and drink tea."
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