Coffee at 'normal' temperature won't give you cancer: WHO

Drinking coffee at “normal” temperature would not increase your risk of contracting cancer, says a new report by the World Health Organisation's cancer research arm

Washington: Drinking coffee at “normal” temperature would not increase your risk of contracting cancer, says a new report by the World Health Organisation's cancer research arm.

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The WHO classified coffee as a possible carcinogen in 1991, for its potential link to bladder cancer.

Based on a review of more than 1,000 studies, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the WHO, said on Wednesday that coffee cannot be classified as a carcinogen.

But the agency cautioned that drinking “very hot” drinks could probably cause cancer.

Though consuming coffee at "normal serving temperatures" carries no cancer risk, drinking very hot beverages likely causes cancer of the esophagus, according to the agency, The Verge reported.

The IARC brought together 23 scientists to review studies on the cancer-related properties of both coffee and maté herbal tea, and determined that there is "inadequate evidence" that either are a carcinogen, the report said.

But the WHO cancer research arm said there is evidence to suggest that drinks consumed at temperatures above 65 degree Celsius can cause cancer of the esophagus, classifying them as "probably carcinogenic to humans."

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