Why drinking beverages too hot may increase cancer risk
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Drinking beverages at very high temperatures may be linked to a substantially higher risk of esophageal cancer, according to a large study recently published in the International Journal of Cancer. Researchers found that people who regularly consumed very hot drinks had a greater risk than those who allowed their beverages to cool first. The concern is thought to relate to repeated heat damage to the lining of the esophagus, which over time may increase vulnerability to cancerous changes. The findings add to growing evidence that temperature, not just what you drink, may matter for long-term health.
Source
K. Papier, K. Gaitskell, S. Floud, and G. K. Reeves, “ Hot Drinks and Oesophageal Cancer: Prospective Analyses in Around 1 Million UK Adults,” International Journal of Cancer (2026): 1–9, https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.70654.
Additional Reading
https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/10/health/hot-beverages-cancer-study-scli-intl
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/sep/09/hot-drinks-triples-risk-oesophageal-cancer-study