There’s no debating the fact that hot coffee is superior to cold. (There’s no debating it because I simply choose not to.) But if a debate were to occur, which again one will not, perhaps the cold-hearted could point to a new study finding that extremely hot coffee is linked to a three times higher risk of developing esophageal cancer.
As reported by the BBC, the study was recently published in the International Journal of Cancer by researchers from the University of Oxford. It’s finding align with a similar study from four years ago, though the sample size from this study is nearly double.
Looking at data from over 977,000 middle-aged participants, researchers defined “very hot” drinks as anything with a temperature of 65°C (149°F) or above. They found that those who drank very hot coffee and tea were three times more likely to develop esophageal cancer than those who consumed warm drinks. And the risk was further elevated if six or more very hot drinks were consumed on a daily basis.
So what’s the actual temperature of your coffee when you drink it? If you’re brewing using 205°F water, your coffee will be as high as 185°F freshly brewed, but when exposed to atmospheric temperatures, it will drop to an acceptable drinking temperature within a few minutes. And in fact, the SCA states the ideal drinking temperature is between 120°F and 150°F because that’s where the flavor and nuance of a cup is most present.
And if you’re just going by feel, the BBC points to a different study finding that temperatures of 70°C were deemed too hot.
Even if you’re unable to resist taking a sip fresh off the brew, the IJOC study notes that, while the risk is three times higher, it is still incredibly low. They state that the best way to reduce your risk of esophageal cancer is to quit smoking and cut down on alcohol.
All of this to say, don’t drink your coffee so hot. It’s bad for your throat and it doesn’t taste as good anyway. And also don’t drink it cold. But that’s just because it’s inferior.
Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
