However, studies have shown people who drink more coffee have lower rates of liver and endometrial cancers.
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There isn’t enough proof to show a link between coffee and cancer, and coffee is no longer classified as a possible carcinogen, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) says.
But before we all start switching to iced coffee, it’s important to note the risk of cancer in relation to temperature is relative. The large body of evidence now available led to the re-evaluation of the carcinogenicity of coffee drinking, previously classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans by International Agency for Research on Cancer in 1991.
After thoroughly reviewing more than 1,000 studies in humans and animals on more than 20 different types of cancer, the global Working Group of 23 scientists found there was inadequate evidence for the carcinogenicity of coffee drinking overall.
However, there was some evidence that drinking these and other beverages at temperatures above 65ºC (150ºF) – may cause cancer of the gullet.
“Coffee’s possible link to cancer is a well-studied one, with over 1,000 studies on the topic”.
Though consuming coffee at “normal serving temperatures” carries no cancer risk, drinking very hot beverages is likely to cause cancer of the oesophagus, according to the agency, The Verge reported. The agency also looked at hot beverages consumed at high temperature in central Asia, China, and Japan.
“A very hot beverage is defined as 65°C or above”. South America people widely consume an herbal drink also known as Cimarron or chimarrao, where oesophageal cancer is more common when to compare to other parts of the world.
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It is believed the temperature, rather than the substance of the drinks, causes cancer of the oesophagus and becomes a risk once beverages have a temperature above 65C, AFP reports. The hotter the drink, the greater the risk, according to the agency. Now after thoroughly reviewing more than 1,000 studies in humans and animals, the scientists found that there wasn’t enough proof that coffee was responsible for cancers overall, World Health Organization said.
