Consuming Very Hot Beverages Linked to Higher Oesophageal Cancer Risk, Study Finds

New research involving nearly one million people reveals that drinking tea and coffee at very high temperatures significantly increases oesophageal cancer risk.

Editorial Desk

September 9, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — London, UK — A comprehensive new study has issued a warning that the regular consumption of beverages at very high temperatures may elevate the likelihood of developing oesophageal cancer.

As the largest investigation of its kind, the research highlights a significant correlation between the temperature of drinks like tea and coffee and the development of cancer in the gullet or food pipe.

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Data from a survey of nearly one million individuals in the United Kingdom indicates that consuming six or more hot drinks daily contributes to a heightened risk profile. Findings suggest that the habit of drinking these beverages at very hot temperatures can triple the risk of developing this specific form of cancer.

While the current study did not explicitly measure the exact temperature of the drinks consumed by participants, it aligns with previous scientific classifications. In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer categorized the consumption of very hot beverages—defined as those exceeding 65C—as probably carcinogenic.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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