Very hot drinks triple oesophageal cancer risk, study finds
Oxford University study of nearly a million UK adults finds very hot drinks can triple the risk of oesophageal cancer, but overall risk remains low.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A large UK study has found that regularly drinking very hot tea or coffee may triple the risk of developing oesophageal cancer. Researchers at Oxford University followed nearly one million middle-aged adults and found that those who preferred their drinks very hot had a three times higher risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma compared with those who drank them warm.
The study, published in the International Journal of Cancer, asked participants to describe their usual drink temperature as warm, hot, or very hot. The researchers then tracked their health over time. They found a clear dose response: the hotter the drink, the higher the risk. People who had six or more very hot drinks a day also had an increased risk.
The definition of very hot was set at 65 degrees Celsius, based on guidance from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which has previously classified beverages above that temperature as probably carcinogenic. At that heat, hot liquid can damage the cells lining the oesophagus, the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. Repeated thermal damage may set off processes that can eventually lead to cancer, the researchers explained.
To put that in context, a kettle boils at 100 degrees Celsius. A cup of black tea poured straight from the pot can be around 82 degrees, but adding milk brings it down to about 62 degrees. An extra hot cappuccino may be just above 63 degrees. Experts say letting a drink cool for a few minutes before taking a sip can make a real difference.
Despite the alarming headline, the overall risk remains low. Oesophageal cancer is the 14th most common cancer in the UK, with a lifetime risk of around one in a hundred. Smoking and alcohol are far bigger risk factors. The study's lead researcher, Dr Karen Papier, stressed that people do not need to give up tea or coffee, only to let their drinks cool a little before drinking.
The findings have prompted practical advice: if the cup feels too hot to hold comfortably, or the drink burns your mouth, it is probably too hot. Let it cool, add cold milk, or simply wait a few minutes. The message is one of moderation, not panic.
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Key Claims
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Channel Perspectives
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5's coverage focused on practical advice and public reaction, with a light, conversational tone. It included a vox pop of people's tea and coffee habits and highlighted the simplicity of letting drinks cool. The report also reassured viewers that the cancer risk is low, making the advice feel manageable.
- “That's because very hot drinks can increase the risk of oesophageal cancer.”
- “The good news is the lifetime risk of esophageal cancer is about one percent of the population so it is pretty rare but if you can reduce your risk why wouldn't you?”
BBC ONE West gave the story thorough scientific treatment, featuring a health correspondent and live measurements of drink temperatures. It placed the study in context, noting that oesophageal cancer is rare and that smoking and alcohol are larger risk factors. The report was clear and detailed, aimed at informing rather than alarming.
- “A new study says that regularly drinking very hot drinks may increase the risk of cancer in the esophagus.”
- “people having very hot drinks had a three times higher risk of cancer of the esophagus compared to those who just had warm drinks”
- “researchers say a significant number of cases might be avoided if people had cooler drinks.”
ITV1 combined expert insight with public-facing journalism. Its lunchtime bulletin featured a studio interview with the lead researcher, Dr Karen Papier, who explained the thermal damage mechanism and gave clear advice on cooling drinks. The evening bulletin added on-the-street reaction from a coffee shop, reinforcing the message of moderation without scaremongering.
- “Drinking very hot drinks could triple the risk of esophageal cancer and the new advice is to let very hot drinks cool down until they're comfortable to drink.”
- “Even just waiting a few minutes before you take a sip of your cuppa would be beneficial for your risk.”
Broadcast Timeline
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