Every morning, millions of indians proudly clutch a boiling-hot cup of chai or coffee, believing it jumpstarts their day. But here’s the bitter truth: that steaming sip could be slowly cooking your oesophagus. The World health Organisation has already classified beverages served above 65°C (149°F) as a probable cause of cancer. In plain words: the hotter your drink, the greater your risk of oesophageal cancer.
This is not scare-mongering, it’s science. A major study in the international Journal of cancer showed that people who consumed more than 700 ml of tea daily at over 60°C had a 90% higher chance of developing oesophageal cancer. Think about it — every time you gulp down boiling chai, you’re inflicting tiny burns inside your throat. Burns cause inflammation, inflammation causes cell damage, and damaged cells are a breeding ground for cancer. It’s a vicious cycle you might be fueling daily, all in the name of “comfort.”
And cancer isn’t the only danger. Regularly drinking scalding liquids can cause mouth and throat burns, permanent damage to your oesophagus lining, and even rob you of your ability to taste food properly. Let’s call it what it is: a silent epidemic of self-inflicted harm. The fix is absurdly simple — let your beverage cool for a few minutes. But if you insist on drinking it boiling hot, remember: that one habit may cost you far more than your morning pick-me-up.
This is not scare-mongering, it’s science. A major study in the international Journal of cancer showed that people who consumed more than 700 ml of tea daily at over 60°C had a 90% higher chance of developing oesophageal cancer. Think about it — every time you gulp down boiling chai, you’re inflicting tiny burns inside your throat. Burns cause inflammation, inflammation causes cell damage, and damaged cells are a breeding ground for cancer. It’s a vicious cycle you might be fueling daily, all in the name of “comfort.”
And cancer isn’t the only danger. Regularly drinking scalding liquids can cause mouth and throat burns, permanent damage to your oesophagus lining, and even rob you of your ability to taste food properly. Let’s call it what it is: a silent epidemic of self-inflicted harm. The fix is absurdly simple — let your beverage cool for a few minutes. But if you insist on drinking it boiling hot, remember: that one habit may cost you far more than your morning pick-me-up.
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