If drink is scalding hot, it may be cancer causing, says W.H.O. study

If you can’t taste your coffee, it might
be a problem for more than just that reason

The good news is that your coffee is still not a danger to your health.

Not in reasonable amounts, unless it’s scalding hot. 

If that’s the case, then there may be a link to certain types of cancer, according to a new study from the World Health Organization. But it’s talking really hot, says Gundersen Health System dietitian, Jessica Lind.

“The good news is, according to the study, though,” Lind said, “most people in North America and in Europe aren’t drinking coffee anywhere near temperatures that the study that they were looking was concluding to be anywhere close to cancer causing.”

The study finds a link between hot liquids and certain types of cancer – like throat cancer. 

The magic temperature at which you should not drink coffee is 149 degrees. Lind says, basically, that’s when it’s too hot to even taste.

“The conclusion (from the study is it) was probably carcinogenic to humans,” Lind said. “So, nothing super conclusive. I definitely wouldn’t put it in a category anywhere close to asbestos or any of these other carcinogenic items.”