ADVERTISEMENT

Drinking hot tea causes throat cancer, nondrinkers and nonsmokers stand higher risk

The scientists explained that, “drinking tea heated to over 65C (149F) was associated with a five-fold increased risk for esophageal cancer when combined with excessive drinking or heavy smoking.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Reports say researchers followed the progress of 456,155 participants aged 30 to 79 for about nine years.

The Dr Canqing Yu led team at the National Natural Science Foundation of China then published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine that, “Compared with participants who drank tea less than weekly and consumed fewer than 15g of alcohol daily, those who drank burning hot tea and 15g or more of alcohol daily had the greatest risk for oesophageal cancer.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The study report further said that it was ‘biologically plausible’ that thermal injury caused to the gullet of those who drink hot tea could damage it and impair its ability to act as a barrier to harmful toxins from alcohol and smoking.

However, what is more baffling is the fact that the study says those who do not engage in drinking and smoking even stand more risk of suffering the esophagus cancer.

The researchers were however quick to add that more research would be needed to ascertain the degree of risk drinking hot tea poses to nonsmokers and nondrinkers.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh

ADVERTISEMENT