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Can Hot Foods and Drinks Cause Esophageal Cancer?
Some like it hot, but when it comes to food and beverages, you are better off letting things cool down a bit.
A 2009 study indicated that a esophageal cancer trigger, may be the consumption of extremely hot foods and beverages. The way that the hot foods and drinks may increase esophageal cancer is by damaging the cells that line the esophagus. When these fragile cells are damaged, it may cause cell mutations and subsequent esophageal cancer.
The study was published in the International Journal of Cancer. This study was a systematic review that looked at 59 different research studies and found a strong correlation with drinking teas and coffees that were considered “too hot” and “very hot” with esophageal cancer.
More recently, a review published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that drinking very hot beverages was “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
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In the United States, most cases of esophageal cancer are found in men and occur in the lower portion of the esophagus. This type of cancer is difficult to treat and the result is many fatalities every year. If you are and even if you are not at risk for developing esophageal cancer, it may be best to avoid hot foods and drinks.
There Are Two Types of Esophageal Cancer:
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Two main cell types of esophageal cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma begins in the squamous cells that line the esophagus, while adenocarcinomas begin in the gland cells of the esophagus.
Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer:
Both types of esophageal cancer are equally as common in the United States and both produce the following symptoms:
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Unexplained weight loss
- Difficulty swallowing
- Coughing
- Hoarseness
How to Prevent Esophageal Cancer:
1. Don't consume very hot foods and drinks.
2. Consume organic fresh or freeze-dried strawberries in your daily diet. Research done in 2011 at the Ohio State University in Columbus shows that strawberries may slow the progression of the disease. The researchers found that daily consumption of strawberries over the course of six months, significantly lowered the histological grade of precancerous lesions.