First of all, it needs to be clear:
- There is no conclusive evidence linking coffee to the development of any cancer.
- Frequent consumption of beverages that are too hot (above 65°C), including coffee, can cause esophageal cancer.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization, after reviewing 1,000 data on the association between coffee and cancer, concluded that there was insufficient evidence that drinking coffee causes cancer; the IARC also concluded that, although there was no conclusive evidence that drinking coffee causes cancer, the The IARC also concluded that although there is no conclusive evidence that drinking coffee causes cancer, drinking overheated beverages (including hot coffee, but also hot tea, hot porridge, etc.) at temperatures above 65°C may cause esophageal cancer.
More recently, the IARC also placed coffee on the list of common foods and beverages that “cannot be classified as carcinogenic,” while consumption of superheated beverages above 65°C was placed on the list of substances with a “high human carcinogenic potential,” which is second only to tobacco in terms of carcinogenicity. The carcinogenicity of this list is second only to that of tobacco.
In addition, the IARC found that drinking coffee may reduce the risk of cancer in the pancreas, female breast, prostate, liver, endometrium, and other areas.
IARC Director Christopher noted that drinking overheated beverages may cause esophageal cancer because of the temperature, not the beverage itself. Most esophageal cancers occur in parts of Asia, South America, and East Africa, where people prefer to drink overheated beverages.
So, how can you tell when a cup of coffee is below 65°C? This is roughly the temperature at which it feels more comfortable to drink, without pain on the lips and tongue. And if it feels a little hot when you take the first sip, you might want to let it sit for a few minutes before drinking it.