Very hot drinks may damage the food pipe and increase cancer risk
A large-scale study from Oxford University suggests that consuming beverages at temperatures of 65 degrees Celsius or higher significantly increases the risk of oesophageal cancer. Researchers advise allowing hot drinks to cool to a comfortable temperature before consumption to avoid damaging the cell lining of the food pipe.
Why it matters
This provides actionable health guidance for a common daily habit, potentially reducing the incidence of a serious cancer through simple lifestyle adjustments.
Image source, Getty Images By Michelle Roberts Digital health editor Published 9 September 2026, 00:30 BST Regularly drinking beverages like tea and coffee at very hot temperatures increases the risk of cancer of the food pipe or gullet, known as oesophageal cancer, UK research suggests.
Researchers say the findings , external , from a study of nearly a million people, make this the largest to date to establish the link.
In the study, people who had their drinks "very hot" had around a three times higher risk of the cancer than "warm" tea or coffee drinkers - although experts stress the overall chances of developing this cancer are low.
Steaming hot liquid can damage the cell lining of the food pipe on the way down to the stomach.
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