Potential damage hot drinks can do to your body

Hot beverages have been a staple of human culture since the dawn of time. But, in this day and age, we can’t help but wonder if our morning coffee or cocoa is doing more harm than good. As it turns out, our favourite drinks could easily cause significant damage to our bodies if we’re not careful. Here’s what the experts say about why you might want to think twice before pouring just any old hot beverage down your throat:

Drinking hot liquids can burn the inside of the mouth and esophagus

Drinking very hot liquids — especially tea — may increase your risk of esophageal cancer by damaging tissues in the throat, according to a new study in Annals of Internal Medicine. Esophageal cancer is a relatively rare form of cancer, but it has a poor survival rate: Only 19% of patients survive more than five years after being diagnosed, according to the American Cancer Society.

In this study, researchers found that people who drank 700 millilitres or more — about 3 cups — of tea daily at temperatures higher than 65 degrees Celsius (149 degrees Fahrenheit) were twice as likely to develop esophageal cancer compared to people who didn’t drink tea. And those who drank hot tea had an increased risk for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), which is one of the main types of this type of cancer.

Heartburn and indigestion

Drinking hot water or other hot beverages on an empty stomach can trigger heartburn or indigestion. This happens because drinking fluids can make the contents of your stomach expand, which puts pressure on the muscular valve that connects your oesophagus (food pipe) to your stomach. This valve is called the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES). The LES muscle keeps acid in your stomach and stops it from flowing back into your oesophagus. But if this valve doesn’t work properly, it can allow acid to flow back into your oesophagus causing a burning sensation in your chest and throat. Eating food helps ease heartburn discomfort as it helps promote saliva production and makes the stomach contract, pushing anything that might be in the esophagus toward the stomach.

Damaging your teeth

If you drink hot beverages too often and too quickly, it can lead to painful sores in your mouth. This happens because hotter temperatures make your teeth more prone to damage. The pain is not only uncomfortable, but it also affects the appearance of your smile. So next time when you drink something hot, count to five and let it cool down a bit before taking a sip. This should help prevent any problems with your teeth and gums.  It is understood that you take proper care of your teeth and maintain adequate hygiene. You should visit the dental clinic at least once every six months if you do not have any teeth problems.

Staining teeth

You may love your morning cup of coffee, but your teeth don’t always share that enthusiasm. Coffee and tea contain substances that stick to the enamel on your teeth — the smooth outer coating that protects the inner softer layer called dentin. When the staining substances remain on tooth enamel long enough, they can penetrate into the outer layer and make your teeth dark yellow or brownish-yellow.

Burning yourself

Unfortunately, many people have experienced this type of burn at least once in their life. You may be enjoying a cup of tea or coffee while watching TV or chatting with friends when suddenly the liquid spills onto your skin causing a painful burn. Of course, the best way to avoid this is by being more careful while drinking hot beverages.

Caffeine causes insomnia

Drinks that contain caffeine will keep you awake at night because they will make your body produce more adrenaline, stimulating your central nervous system. The most common drinks that have caffeine are coffee and tea (especially green tea). If you drink too many caffeinated drinks or drink them before going to bedtime, you will get insomnia and sleep disorder.

It can have negative effects on your body if you have too much caffeine. If you’re struggling with sleep deprivation, anxiety, or if you have an underlying heart condition, drinking caffeinated drinks can make these problems worse. If you want to reduce your risk of a hot drink, waiting for it to cool down before taking a sip is one of the simplest solutions available. If you need your drink to cool down faster, try placing an ice cube inside it. Alternatively, if you want your drink to cool down without watering it down, try placing the cup in the refrigerator for several minutes.