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Letting your tea or coffee cool before sipping may lower esophageal cancer risk, say experts.
A little patience with your hot drink could protect your health.
For many, a steaming cup of coffee or tea is the best way to begin the day. While the warmth of these beverages provides comfort, studies show that drinking extremely hot liquids can raise the risk of esophageal cancer.
The concern is not the beverages themselves but their temperature. Drinks hotter than 65°C can repeatedly burn or irritate the lining of the food pipe. Over time, this continual heat damage may lead to cell injury and increase the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. That’s why experts stress that something as simple as allowing a hot drink to cool for a couple of minutes can make a significant difference to long-term health. Dr. S.K. Bala, Onco-Surgeon, CMRI Kolkata shares all you need to know:
The tongue naturally warns us when a beverage is too hot. If it burns the tongue, it is likely burning the esophagus as well. Letting tea or coffee cool slightly not only enhances flavor but also helps prevent damage. This small pause can easily become second nature.
This advice aligns with broader cancer-prevention strategies, where lifestyle choices play a vital role. Just as avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, and reducing processed food intake are protective, being mindful of drink temperature is another straightforward precaution.
Importantly, this does not mean avoiding tea or coffee altogether. Both are safe and enjoyable when consumed at sensible temperatures. Prevention is not always about radical lifestyle changes, it often comes down to simple, everyday habits.
By taking the time to let a hot beverage cool, you help your esophagus avoid repeated injury. This small but powerful shift shows how conscious choices can play a key role in reducing cancer risk.
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More
