For many, kicking off the day with a steaming cup of coffee or tea might be a great habit that seems inconsequential. However, studies indicate that consuming beverages hotter than 149°F could increase the likelihood of esophageal cancer. Research indicates that regularly consuming extremely hot beverages can injure the inner lining of the esophagus, triggering inflammation and the development of cancerous cells.
The esophagus is a long tube that carries swallowed food and liquids to the stomach. Thermal injury to its lining can compromise its protective barrier, heightening vulnerability to damage from gastric acid reflux. Over time, this persistent harm may elevate the risk of developing esophageal cancer.
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, the more prevalent form of esophageal cancer, typically develops in the upper and middle regions of the esophagus. It is closely linked to the mouth and throat, making it particularly susceptible to damage from hot liquids passing through. A persistent sore throat or unexplained weight loss may be warning signs of esophageal cancer.
Regardless of whether it’s plain water, tea or coffee, or something like a soup or stew, drinking liquids at excessively high temperatures carries the same risk. Any liquid too hot to sip comfortably can cause burns to the esophagus. However, many people consume freshly made tea or coffee at temperatures exceeding 149°F.
Esophageal cancer ranks among the top ten most common cancers worldwide and carries a poor survival rate when diagnosed late. Many are unaware that drinking hot beverages contributes to this disease.
The recommended temperature for safely consuming hot liquids is 138°F. To lower the temperature, let the liquid cool for 4-5 minutes, add milk or water to reduce heat, or blow on it to cool it down.
To view the original scientific study click below:
Drinking very hot tea almost doubles risk of cancer, new study says | CNN
For many people, grabbing a hot drink in a disposable cup is part of their daily routine. Yet the container holding your coffee or tea may not be as harmless as it seems. New research suggests the very cup designed to keep your drink hot could also be releasing tiny plastic particles into it.
Not all disposable cups release microplastics at the same rate. Researchers found that the cup material and beverage temperature both affect how many tiny plastic particles leach into a drink. Although microplastics were detected across all temperatures tested, hotter beverages triggered significantly greater particle release.
Measuring less than 5 millimeters, microplastics have emerged as an increasing public health concern. These tiny particles can enter the body through food, beverages, or the air we breathe, where they may build up in organs including the lungs and digestive system and contribute to inflammation and other health problems.
The study combined evidence from previous research with new laboratory testing. Researchers first reviewed 30 published studies, compiling 237 observations to assess how variables such as water temperature and soaking time influenced microplastic release. They then tested two popular types of disposable cups, those made entirely of polyethylene (PE) and paper cups with a polyethylene coating, to compare how much microplastic each released.
Researchers found that hot water caused the surface of polyethylene (PE) cups to become increasingly rough and irregular, a sign of physical degradation that likely contributed to greater microplastic shedding. By comparison, paper cups coated with polyethylene maintained smoother surfaces with less visible damage, which may have helped limit the release of plastic particles.
The study estimated that a single 10-ounce hot beverage consumed each day could add hundreds of thousands of microplastic particles to a person's yearly intake. Drinks served in polyethylene (PE) cups were associated with roughly 360,000 particles per year, while polyethylene-coated paper cups were estimated to release about 240,000 annually.
The healthiest and most environmentally friendly choice is a reusable cup made from stainless steel, glass or ceramic. Because these materials are non-reactive, they won't break down or release chemicals or plastic particles when filled with hot beverages.
Maintaining a healthy weight is becoming increasingly uncommon, with only one in four U.S. adults falling into that category. New research suggests excess weight may be responsible for significantly more cancers than once thought. After analyzing data from more than 450,000 people, researchers estimated that excess body fat is linked to over 11% of all cancer cases, nearly twice earlier estimates.
Being alone isn't necessarily harmful, but feeling lonely may be. According to a new study, older adults who experience persistent loneliness may face a faster decline in both cognitive and physical health. The researchers found that loneliness remained strongly linked to poorer brain health and an increased risk of early death, regardless of how socially isolated a person was.