Recent research has revealed that drinking too much hot tea or coffee may increase the risk of a certain type of esophageal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

The study, led by Oxford University’s Dr. Karen Papier, reviewed data from 980,000 people in the UK, who were followed for about 14 years.

Participants were asked at what temperature they prefer to drink their drinks. In response to which the options of ‘very hot’, ‘hot’ or ‘semi-hot’ were given.

According to the study, the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus was found to be almost 3 times higher among those who drank very hot beverages than those who drank lukewarm beverages.

The study also found that the risk was linked to the amount of beverages consumed, with people who drank 6 or more hot drinks per day having a 71 percent higher risk of squamous cell carcinoma than those who drank less than 6 hot drinks.

However, the researchers did not find a clear link between hot drinks and adenocarcinoma, another major cancer of the esophagus.

Researchers believe that repeated exposure to very hot drinks can damage the cells in the lining of the esophagus, potentially contributing to cancer growth.

According to experts, alcohol consumption and smoking are also among the main factors of esophageal cancer.

In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified extremely hot drinks as ‘probably carcinogenic’ to humans.

Cancer Research UK advises people concerned about the risk to let tea or coffee cool enough to drink comfortably before drinking it, rather than consuming it very hot.

Professor Mayo Tech of Queen Mary University of London pointed out an important limitation of the research, saying that the perception of the temperature of drinks varies from person to person.