Coffee Can Cause Cancer Only When It's Very Hot, Says WHO
There is no reliable evidence suggesting that coffee causes cancer, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). However, the WHO's cancer agency believes that coffee can be carcinogenic if it is too hot.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) previously noted that coffee can be "possibly carcinogenic. However, the organization has decided to change its mind.
According to recent reports, IARC review has found "no conclusive evidence for a carcinogenic effect" of drinking coffee. In fact, there are some studies that show that drinking coffee might actually reduce the risk of developing certain forms of cancer.
IARC's Monograph classification department head says that the review findings do not prove that drinking coffee is completely safe. But it does prove that there is less reason to worry about the possible side effects associated with caffeine.
On the flip side, IARC believes that drinking anything too hot, including water, coffee, tea or other drinks can cause the cancer of the esophagus. The risk of developing cancer is higher when the temperature of the drink is above 65 degree Celsius.
IARC based its conclusion on the review of more than 1,000 scientific studies conducted in the past on humans and animals both. There is not enough proof that classifies coffee as potentially carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic.
In its evaluation, IARC found that coffee proved carcinogenic only when the temperature of the drink exceeds 65 degrees Celsius. A few other studies conducted on rats revealed that other liquids as well, including water, can speed up the development of tumors.
Coffee was previously put in "possible carcinogen" category called 2B. The category also included other potentially carcinogenic substances such as chloroform. The U.S. National Coffee Association considers IARC's change as a good news for people who love to drink coffee.
