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2016-06-29 17:44:06
Alice Park @aliceparkny
June 16, 2016
The WHO report applies to drinks including coffee, tea and mate
The list of cancer-causing agents is long and getting longer. Experts already
tell us to avoid smoking, exposure to UV radiation from the sun and even air
pollution since these factors can increase the risk of cancer. Now the World
Health Organization says hot drinks like coffee and tea belong on that list
too.
The group s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) looked at about
1,000 studies that investigated a connection between high-temperature drinks
and cancer. Based on the available evidence, they conclude that drinking very
hot beverages anything above 149 F (65 C), which is significantly cooler than
most coffee served in restaurants and caf s is linked to a higher risk of
cancer of the esophagus. The results were published in the journal Lancet
Oncology.
Hot drinks now join a list of 79 other substances including red meat, emissions
from frying foods, DDT and the human papillomavirus that have been deemed by
the agency to be a probable carcinogen in humans.
Of course, that doesn t mean a steaming cup of coffee every morning will always
cause cancer. And in fact, the same report had some good news for coffee
lovers. Back in 1991, the last time the IARC looked at coffee, the group deemed
it a possible carcinogen based on data linking it to bladder cancer. But in
light of a large, newer body of research, the group says there isn t adequate
evidence to classify coffee itself as a carcinogen it s the temperature at
which it s consumed that seems to tip the balance.
Experts think that people with a condition called Barrett s esophagus, which
often precedes esophageal cancer, are especially vulnerable. And while a small
risk exists for everyone, Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical and scientific
officer at the American Cancer Society, says smoking and excessive drinking are
much bigger threats to health than piping-hot coffee or tea.
Some research has shown that coffee and tea may even prevent cancers in several
other parts of the body. More research is needed, but for now, experts are
advising only minor changes to people s morning routines.
It s a pretty simple message, says Mariana Stern, a professor at the
University Southern California and one of the IARC s working-group members.
You can drink your favorite hot drink. Just make sure the temperature is not
superhot.
ALICE PARK
This appears in the June 27, 2016 issue of TIME.