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How hot tea can increase your risk of having cancer

Published

8 years ago

June 19, 2016

How hot tea can increase your risk of having cancer

If you like to take your tea or coffee extra hot, a burnt tongue isn’t the only potential side effect you may need to worry about.

In a new review published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, researchers found that sipping super-hot liquids could actually up your risk of cancer. What the heck?

Here’s what went down: A panel of 23 international scientists analysed all the available data on the carcinogenicity of hot beverages like coffee and tea.

The researchers found that imbibing anything at a temperature higher than 149 degrees Fahrenheit is “probably carcinogenic to humans.”

That puts your piping hot latte in the same category as exposure to lead and exhaust fumes.

Drinking hot liquid can cause scalding on the way down, making you more vulnerable to esophageal cancer—even if you’re sipping a healthy herbal tea.

The research calls attention to an important issue: It’s a good idea to pay attention to how you prep your beverages. Water boils at 212 degrees, so the experts recommend letting your cup of coffee or tea cool for a few minutes after pouring it to kill that carcinogenic risk. Luckily, there’s no link between sipping a cooler cup and cancer risk (iced coffee, FTW).

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