The way you serve coffee in the morning could increase the risk of cancer up to six times, according to a study developed by the National Cancer Institute.
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According to the study, people who drink eight or more cups per day of very hot coffee or tea have a 5.6 times higher risk of developing esophageal cancer (ESCC), compared to those who do not consume hot drinks, writes the Daily Mail.
The researchers used data from over 500,000 participants in the UK BioBank, who provided information on their consumption of hot drinks.
Those who drink up to four cups of liquids “very hot“They have a risk of developing 2.5 times esophageal cancer. Four to six cups have been associated with a 3.7 times higher risk, and between six and eight cups with a 4.8 times higher risk.
For drinks only “hot” (not very hot), up to four cups a day increased the risk of 1.6 times. Four to six cups a day doubled the risk, six to eight cups increased the risk of 2.5 times, and over eight cups were associated with a three -time risk.
The researchers said that their results, published in the British Journal of Cancer, are based on previous research that suggests that drinks consumed at temperatures higher than 65 ° C are “probably carcinogenic for humans.”
The ideal coffee preparation temperature is generally between 90–96 ° C. For tea, it varies depending on the type, but usually between 80-100 ° C.
However, people usually drink coffee and tea at lower temperatures, between 49–68 ° C. It is believed that very hot drinks can cause lesions by burning cells, leading to inflammation, gene damage and an increased probability of cancer.
Vincent Ho, associate professor and clinical gastroenterologist at Western Sydney University, explained to The Conversation that drinks consumed at very high temperatures can damage the cells in the mucosa of the esophagus.
“The excess consumption of very hot drinks can damage the cells in the mucosa of the esophagus and, in time, it is believed that this can promote cancer development. Researchers have proposed this connection for the first time almost 90 years ago.
What we know about how hot drinks affects the esophagus comes largely of animal studies. Another theory is that the thermal deterioration of the mucosa of the esophagus weakens its natural barrier, increasing the risk of additional damage due to gastric reflux. In the long term, these chronic lesions can increase the chance of the emergence of esophageal cancer ”, he explained.
It is also considered that the tissues affected by hot fluids become more vulnerable to other carcinogenic factors, such as alcohol or chemicals in tobacco smoke.
The team from the National Institute for Cancer said that “People who prefer very hot drinks could benefit if they would reduce their drinking temperature, at least in terms of the risk of esophageal cancer. ”
This year, experts estimate that over 22,000 new cases of esophageal cancer will be diagnosed, of which over 16,000 will lead to death.
Esophageal cancer begins in the inner layer of the esophagus and extends outwards as the tumor grows. Symptoms include: difficulty swallowing, unintentional weight loss, pain or chest discomfort.
At first they can be subtle, but they worsen with the progression of the disease. Other possible symptoms: persistent cough, hoarseness and accentuated gastric burns.
Although there are no routine screening tests, cancer can be diagnosed by biopsy endoscopy, imaging investigations or specialized tests such as cytosongge (a sponge swallowed to collect the esophagus cells).
A 2018 study established that the ideal temperature for coffee consumption – balancing the risk of esophageal burns and optimal taste – is about 58 ° C.
