Drinking tea at over 60 ° C increases the risk of throat cancer up to 90%: study

Drinking hot tea can more than double the risk of developing cancer, warned research led by the Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran, is added to a series of surveys linking hot drinks to illness.

People who regularly consume tea at 60 ° C (140 ° F) or higher increase the risk of throat cancer by 90%. But letting a cup of freshly boiled tea for several minutes before taking it can help.

Although an index had already been mentioned, it's the first time that a direct link has been found in a large-scale study who has been investigating people for a long time.

Scientists believe that very hot water irritates the lining of the mouth and throat, which can start the tumor in the area.

Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common cause of cancer in the world and one of the leading causes of cancer deaths.

Experts have discovered that drinking 700 ml of tea per day at or above 60 ° C was "systematically badociated" with a 90% increase in risk of contracting the disease, compared to people who consumed drinks at lower temperatures.

The researchers said that their tea-based results will be applied to other hot beverages, such as coffee or hot chocolate, pointed out Daily mail.

Published in the International Journal of Cancer, the study badyzed the consumption patterns of 50,045 people aged 40 to 75 years old. who lived in northeastern Iran.

During a follow-up period from 2004 to 2017, 317 new cases of esophageal cancer have been identified, also known as "cancer of the food chain".

The risk of esophageal cancer was multiplied by 2.4 among those who regularly took it at 75 ° C.

The researchers, led by Dr. Farhad Islami, said the findings "substantially strengthen" evidence between hot beverages and esophageal cancer.

According to the researchers, several mechanisms could explain how the consumption of hot drinks can cause cancer of the esophagus.

The heat could damage the throat and cause inflammation that could damage the DNA and feed the production of chemical substances carcinogenic

Drinking tea or coffee during pregnancy reduces the size of the baby

The research suggested last November indicates that theWomen who drink tea or coffee during pregnancy are more likely to have small babies.

Even women who drink less than the "safe" limit of 200 mg of caffeine (about two cups of instant coffee or three cups of tea) are more likely to be underweight at birth or a premature newborn.

The researchers, from University College Dublin, have stated that the caffeine limits blood flow to the placentawhich affects the growth of babies.

The study, led by Dr. Ling-Wei Chen, badyzed 941 couples of mothers and children born in Ireland. Tea was the main source of caffeine for mothers (48%), followed by coffee (38%).

The results suggested that for each additional 100 mg of caffeine (approximately half a cup of coffee) consumed daily during the first trimester, birth weight was reduced by 72 grams.

This could also affect your ability to act as a barrier against harmful toxins from alcohol and tobacco.

Esophageal cancer mainly affects people in their 60s and 70s and is more common in men than in women.

Symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, persistent indigestion or heartburn, bring food quickly after eating, loss of appetite and weight loss.

Dr. Islami said: "To our knowledge, this is the only large-scale prospective study in the world in which qualified personnel have measured the actual temperature of tea consumption."

"Therefore, extrapolating these results to all types of drinks can be a reasonable public health measure.Recommend to the public to wait for the drinks to cool to below 60 ° C before consuming them. "

This figure is lower than the World Health Organization recommendation of less than 65 ° C (149 ° F).

In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a cancer agency of the World Health Organization, ranked the consumption of very hot beverages at a temperature above 65 ° C to the list of potentially carcinogenic substances.

In China, Iran, Turkey and South America, tea is traditionally very hot at around 70 ° C (158 ° F).

Cancer Research UK, a cancer charity, said most Britons would not drink tea or coffee at these temperatures.
Georgina Hill, Health Information Manager at Cancer Research UK, said: "This study adds to the evidence that drinking beverages at temperatures above 60 ° C can increase the cancer risk of cancer. esophagus, but most British United do not drink their tea at these temperatures. "

"If you let the tea cool a bit before you drink it or you add milk or cold water, it is unlikely that the risk of cancer will increase, and if you do not smoke, maintaining a healthy weight and reduce its consumption the chances. "

Previous research has suggested waiting at least four minutes before drinking a cup of freshly boiled tea, or more generally, Let the food and drinks cool down and do not burn your tongue and throat before drinking.