Fans of piping hot chai are not going to like hearing this. A recent new research study claims that drinking hot tea could raise the risk of esophageal cancer. The study says that risk can be more than double among those who drink tea at 75 degrees Celsius.
There is a solution – letting go of that piping hot tea. Waiting for at least four minutes before drinking a cup of freshly made tea is effective in reducing the cancer risk. “Many people enjoy drinking tea, coffee, or other hot beverages. However, according to our report, drinking very hot tea can increase the risk of esophageal cancer, and it is, therefore, advisable to wait until hot beverages cool down before drinking,” said lead author Farhad Islami of the American Cancer Society.
The results could also be extended to coffee, hot chocolate or other hot beverages.
Esophageal cancer is the sixth most common cancer in India and the eighth most globally. It affects more men than women.
In 2016, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had warned of the cancer risk associated with drinks above 65 degrees Celsius.
