March 27, 2009

expert comments on study in BMJ showing correlation between hot tea and throat cancer

The study, from researchers in Iran, found that drinking tea at a temperature of 70 degrees celsius or higher is correlated with a higher risk of oesophageal cancer.

Oliver Childs, Senior Science Information Officer, Cancer Research UK, said:

“Tea drinking is part of many cultures, and these results certainly don’t point to tea itself being the problem. But they do provide more evidence that a regular habit of eating and drinking very hot foods and drinks could increase your risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus (food pipe).

“People in this region of northern Iran often drink very hot tea as part of their daily routine. We’re a nation of tea lovers in the UK, but we don’t tend to drink tea at such high temperatures and we usually add milk, which cools it down.

“The most important risk factors for oesophageal cancer are smoking and drinking alcohol. So to reduce your risk give up smoking, limit alcohol and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables to help keep a healthy bodyweight.”