Archive · 17 Aug 2025
Hot Drinks and Cancer: Gut Expert's Advice
Drinking very hot drinks might make it more likely you get cancer in your food pipe (oesophagus).
Drinks over 65°C are a problem because they can hurt the cells there.
Scientists think heat damages the pipe's lining over time.
This is why drinking slowly, letting drinks cool, and taking small sips is better.
Having big gulps of very hot drinks is the worst.
A safe temp is about 57.8°C.
Waiting a bit lets the drinks cool off a lot.
Hot drinks above 65°C are classified as 'probably carcinogenic to humans'.
Studies link very hot drinks to increased oesophageal cancer risk.
Drinking very hot liquids damages cells in the oesophagus lining.
Large sips of hot drinks have more impact on internal oesophagus temperature.
Allowing hot drinks to cool and taking small sips can reduce risk.
- Who
- The International Agency for Research on Cancer and various studies have explored the link between hot drinks and cancer risk.
- What
- Drinking very hot beverages, especially above 65°C, may increase the risk of oesophageal cancer.
- When
- Studies have found links between hot drink consumption and oesophageal cancer, including a large study in the UK this year.
- Where
- Research on this topic has been conducted in South America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
- Why
- Very hot drinks can damage cells in the oesophagus over time, increasing the risk of cancer.
Potential Risk
Unclear Link
Carcinogenic Risk
Potential Risk
Drinking hot beverages is linked to higher cancer risk.
Unclear Link
More research is required to understand the relationship between drinking hot beverages and oesophageal cancer.
- Temperature Considered Dangerous
- Above 65°C
- Drink Types Studied
- Tea, coffee, mate
- Oesophagus Temperature Increase (large sip)
- Up to 12°C
- Optimal Coffee Temperature (study)
- 57.8°C
- Risk Category
- Probably carcinogenic to humans