A landmark study from Iran's University of Medical Sciences, published on March 20, 2019, in the International Journal of Cancer, reveals a strong link between drinking very hot tea and esophageal cancer. Researchers tracked over 50,000 individuals aged 40-75 from 2004 to 2008. Key finding: Consuming more than 700 ml (about 3 cups) of tea daily at temperatures above 60°C increases esophageal cancer risk by 90%.
Tea lovers needn't give up their favorite brew. David Malka, a digestive oncologist at France's prestigious Gustave Roussy Institute, shared on France Info that the risk stems from extreme heat, not tea itself. Avoid drinking straight from boiling water—let it cool slightly in your cup to stay safe and enjoy without worry.
