Based on limited evidence from the studies they reviewed, the researchers found a link between esophageal cancer and drinks that are very hot (at or above 70 degrees Celsius, or 158 degrees Fahrenheit).
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The research agency says consuming hot beverages may lead to Oesophageal cancer if it preferred more than 65 degrees C.
Coffee was listed as a possible carcinogen in 1991 but the World Health Organization’s (WHO) cancer agency on Wednesday said that there is no conclusive evidence that show drinking coffee can cause cancer.
However, experts say people in the United Kingdom should not be alarmed as we traditionally drink our tea and coffee at lower temperatures than those being flagged by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Oesophageal cancer is the eighth most common form of cancer worldwide causing deaths of around 400,000 in 2012. In its new evaluation of more than 500 studies, it found that coffee drinking had no carcinogenic effects for cancers of the pancreas, female breast, and prostate. Last October, when the group said processed meat causes cancer, and that plain old red meat probably does as well, Bloomberg published a detailed look at how the IARC makes its designations, along with what they mean. However, the health body is expected to revise that today to suggest other than concerns over temperature, there is insufficient evidence to say coffee itself causes cancer.
Drinking very hot drinks – above normal drinking temperature – probably does though, it has concluded.
Attention coffee lovers – we’ve got some bad news for you. The official judgment is that coffee is “not classifiable” with respect to cancer.
The analysis does not measure the degree of risk associated with drinking very hot tea or coffee. Coffee served at over 150 degrees is considered too hot, but many popular cafes serve their drinks at 180 degrees or hotter. The agency evaluated the carcinogenicity of drinking coffee, mate, and very hot beverages. The WHO also stressed that this cancer is also attributed to smoking and drinking alcohol as serious risk factors.
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“Coffee’s possible link to cancer is a well-studied one, with over 1,000 studies on the topic”.
