Very hot drinks may damage the food pipe and increase cancer risk

Oxford University research published in the International Journal of Cancer classifies drinks served at 65 °C or above as “very hot” and notes a possible risk to the oesophagus. The study found that consuming six or more hot drinks per day raises that risk, based on data from 977,282 middle‑aged men and women. Researchers add that although milk or other additives can lower the temperature slightly, a milky beverage or coffee may still remain excessively hot. Tea made immediately after a kettle reaches boiling point is at 100 °C (212 °F); once poured into a cup it falls to roughly 90 °C or 95 °C. The recommendation is to wait a few minutes before drinking so the beverage cools to a safer temperature. Cancer Research UK says it is difficult to prescribe an exact cooling period, but offered the following advice: “But if you're worried, we'd suggest conscionable waiting until it's