Whether you are a coffee or tea drinker, let it cool a bit before enjoying.
Hot Drinks Linked to Cancer (ZT)喝热饮料可能致癌
From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report.
Next time you make yourself a hot cup of tea or coffee, you might want to let it cool down a bit before drinking.
Researchers say letting your hot drinks cool off could help you avoid some kinds of cancer.
In fact, the United Nations’ cancer research agency decided to list hot drinks with lead, gasoline and exhaust fumes as "possibly carcinogenic." In other words, each one could cause cancer.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organization (WHO). The IARC published the findings in the medical journal Lancet Oncology.
Researchers at IARC found evidence that drinks at temperatures above 65 degrees Celsius, when swallowed, can cause cancer of the esophagus.
The researchers examined findings from other studies where tea and coffee were often served at 70 degrees Celsius or above. Those studies were completed in Iran, China and South America.
In developed countries, health experts have linked esophageal cancer to smoking and alcoholic drinks. However, this form of cancer is more common in areas where people drink beverages at very high temperatures.
In Europe and the United States, many people drink coffee and tea at temperatures around 60 degrees Celsius. And they often add milk which lowers the temperature considerably.
However, tea-drinkers in Iran and maté-drinkers in South America often enjoy their beverages at closer to 70 degrees Celsius. Maté is a tea-like brew made by steeping the leaves of the yerba mate plant in near-boiling water.
The researchers note that South Americans not only drink their maté very hot, they also drink it through a metal straw. This sends the scalding liquid directly into the throat.
The findings, however, are good news for coffee drinkers.
In 1991, the World Health Organization listed coffee as “possibly carcinogenic.” WHO officials have since changed their position on that listing. They now suggest that the temperature of your hot drink is a greater risk factor than the actual drink itself.
Christopher Wild is the director of the IARC. When he spoke with the AFP news agency, he said the results "suggest that drinking very hot beverages is one probable cause of esophageal cancer and that it is the temperature, rather than the drinks themselves, that appears to be responsible."
The National Coffee Association called the change "great news for coffee drinkers."
But how common is esophageal cancer? Worldwide, it is the eighth most common cancer. Cancer of the esophagus killed about 400,000 people in 2012.
I’m Anna Matteo.
Anna Matteo adapted this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.
From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report.
这是来自《美国之音英语学习》健康和生活的报道。
Next time you make yourself a hot cup of tea or coffee, you might want to let it cool down a bit before drinking.
下次你喝热茶或咖啡时,你可得先让它冷却一点再喝。
Researchers say letting your hot drinks cool off could help you avoid some kinds of cancer.
研究人员说,让你的热饮料凉一点再喝,可以让你避免一些癌症。
In fact, the United Nations’ cancer research agency decided to list hot drinks with lead, gasoline and exhaust fumes as "possibly carcinogenic." In other words, each one could cause cancer.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organization (WHO). The IARC published the findings in the medical journal Lancet Oncology.
Researchers at IARC found evidence that drinks at temperatures above 65 degrees Celsius, when swallowed, can cause cancer of the esophagus.
IARC的研究人员发现,当饮料温度超过65摄氏度时,吞咽时,会导致食管癌。
The researchers examined findings from other studies where tea and coffee were often served at 70 degrees Celsius or above. Those studies were completed in Iran, China and South America.
研究人员在伊朗,中国和南美的研究发现,茶和咖啡经常在70摄氏度或以上。
In developed countries, health experts have linked esophageal cancer to smoking and alcoholic drinks. However, this form of cancer is more common in areas where people drink beverages at very high temperatures.
In Europe and the United States, many people drink coffee and tea at temperatures around 60 degrees Celsius. And they often add milk which lowers the temperature considerably.
在欧洲和美国,许多人在约60摄氏度的温度下喝咖啡和茶。他们经常添加牛奶,大大降低温度。
However, tea-drinkers in Iran and maté-drinkers in South America often enjoy their beverages at closer to 70 degrees Celsius. Maté is a tea-like brew made by steeping the leaves of the yerba mate plant in near-boiling water.
The researchers note that South Americans not only drink their maté very hot, they also drink it through a metal straw. This sends the scalding liquid directly into the throat.
研究人员注意到,南美洲人不仅喝他们的饮料非常热,他们也喝通过金属吸管。这将烫伤液直接送入喉咙。
The findings, however, are good news for coffee drinkers. 然而,这些发现对于咖啡饮用者来说是个好消息。
In 1991, the World Health Organization listed coffee as “possibly carcinogenic.” WHO officials have since changed their position on that listing. They now suggest that the temperature of your hot drink is a greater risk factor than the actual drink itself.
Christopher Wild is the director of the IARC. When he spoke with the AFP news agency, he said the results "suggest that drinking very hot beverages is one probable cause of esophageal cancer and that it is the temperature, rather than the drinks themselves, that appears to be responsible."