How many people have been harmed by eating while it's hot! When eating, don't let the food exceed this temperature!

"Hurry, eat it while it's hot, it's not good if it gets cold!"

When you hear this sentence, do you feel an inexplicable sense of familiarity? When I was a child, my parents often urged me to "eat while it's hot" and "drink while it's hot";

During festivals, relatives and friends will habitually urge each other to "eat while it's hot" when looking at the steaming hot food to show their enthusiasm;

If a child catches a cold, parents will tell him to “drink more hot water”, saying that “sweating will make him feel better”.

But did you know that “eating and drinking while hot” not only burns your mouth, but can also cause cancer?

There is scientific evidence that "eating while hot" may cause cancer:

In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified hot drinks above 65°C as "Class 2A carcinogens".

In March 2019, a new study published in the International Journal of Oncology once again confirmed the link between hot drinks and esophageal cancer:

People who like to drink hot tea ≥60℃ have a 41% increased risk of esophageal cancer compared to those who drink tea <60℃.

People who drink tea within 2 minutes after brewing have a 51% increased risk of esophageal cancer compared to those who drink tea more than 6 minutes after brewing.

People who like to drink "very hot" tea have a 141% increased risk of esophageal cancer compared to those who prefer to drink warm or cold tea.

It can be seen that "eating while it's hot" may really induce esophageal cancer.

In fact, for the human body, the most suitable food temperature is 10℃ ~ 40℃, 50℃ ~ 60℃ is barely tolerable, and above 65℃ will cause scalding.

Most of the overheated food on our table is about 70℃. For example, freshly cooked porridge is about 92℃ when served in a bowl. After 15 minutes, it is still 80℃! Even if you blow and stir it while drinking, it is still about 70℃. Some food at 65℃, even if you don’t feel hot when eating, it will cause real damage to the mouth and esophagus.

The surface mucosa of the oral cavity and esophagus can be self-repaired if they are occasionally burned. However, if you eat and drink while hot for a long time, the mucosal cells will produce abnormal "atypia" cells in the process of repeated "damage-repair".

When these "abnormal" cells continue to accumulate, they may become malignant and eventually lead to esophageal cancer. Moreover, long-term exposure to high temperatures will also damage the gastric mucosa, which may eventually lead to gastritis, gastric ulcers, etc.

Tips❤

Do not urge your child to eat while the food is hot. If your child is in a hurry to eat and swallows the food without chewing, it will not only damage the esophagus and stomach but also be detrimental to nutrient absorption.

Therefore, for the sake of health, everyone should get rid of the habit of "eating while it's hot". It is better to blow on the food before eating and let it cool for 10 minutes before eating!

References

[1] Huang, R., Li, S., Tian, ​​C. et al. Thermal stress involved in TRPV2 promotes tumorigenesis through the pathways of HSP70/27 and PI3K/Akt/mTOR in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Br J Cancer (2022). /10.1038/s41416-022-01896-2.

[2] International Agency for Research on Cancer. FACT SHEET: CANCER OF THE OESOPHAGUS AND DRINKING VERY HOT BEVERAGES.

[3] Kacey Deamer, Staff Writer. How Could Hot Drinks Cause Cancer? .

[4]Loomis D, Guyton KZ, Grosse Y, et al. Carcinogenicity of drinking coffee, mate, and very hot beverages[J]. Lancet Oncology, 2016, 17(7): 877.

[5]International Agency for Research on Cancer. IARC Monographs evaluate drinking coffee, maté, and very hot beverages[J]. 2016.

[6] Zhang Hao, Zhou Yingzhi, Diao Yutao, Li Huiqing, Zhou Ruixue, Zhao Deli, Lei Fuhua. Case-control study on the influencing factors of esophagitis in areas with high incidence of esophageal cancer[J]. Journal of Shandong University (Medical Science), 2010, 48(10): 120-124.

[7] He Yutong, Li Daojuan, Liang Di, et al. Estimated incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer in China in 2013[J]. Chinese Journal of Oncology, 2017, 39(4).

Author: Lina