Gastroenterologist warns: hot coffee increases risk of esophageal cancer

Drinking scalding hot coffee increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer, said gastroenterologist Shripati Ketu. She warned lovers of this drink about this in a conversation with Everyday Health.

According to the doctor, thermal burns of the mucous membrane of the mouth, throat and esophagus occur already at a coffee temperature of about 60 degrees Celsius. “A burn results in a burning sensation, redness, blistering or peeling of the mucous membrane, and pain when swallowing,” she explained.

Ketu cited research showing that those who drink coffee and other drinks very hot rather than warm are about three times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. “The main explanation is that repeated thermal injury causes the lining of the esophagus to continue to regenerate cells, which over time leads to the development of cancer,” the gastroenterologist warned.

The doctor emphasized that the risk is associated precisely with the temperature of the drink, and not with the properties of the coffee itself. To make an existing burn less dangerous, she recommended drinking cool but not ice water, gargling with salt water, taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, and avoiding spicy, sour, hard and hot foods for several days.