Last Updated on July 26, 2023 by Dr. Shikha Shiromani
Quick Take
A social media post claims that hot drinks can give you cancer. Furthermore, the post claims that this risk of damage to the organs can be reduced with the help of Batana oil, which cleanses your organs and repairs any damage. We fact-checked and found this claim to be Mostly False.
The Claim
A Facebook reel with the caption, “HOT DRINKS GIVE CANCER! find batana oil in comments. #health #truth #healthylifestyle #healthyfood #healthyeating” shares the video where the narrator states, “Hot drinks can give you cancer. Let me explain. The hot drinks that you drink, such as tea and coffee, are slowly giving you cancer without you knowing it.”
Towards the end of the video, the claimant states, “One such remedy that I’d recommend is batana oil sold by the brand DoctorTruth. Batana oil is a natural remedy that thoroughly cleanses your organs and repairs any damage done to them. It practically gets rid of any diseases in your body, so your organs would function better”
Fact Check
Can hot drinks cause cancer?
Not necessarily. There is some evidence that drinking very hot liquids, such as tea or coffee, may increase the risk of esophageal cancer. However, the research is not conclusive, and more studies are needed to confirm this link.
One study, published in the International Journal Cancer Causes & Control in 2019, found that people who drank hot tea at a temperature of 60°C or higher (140°F) had a 90 percent increased risk of esophageal cancer. It suggested that people should cool their hot beverages after drinking. However, Cancerresearch UK states that this study was based on people living in Iran and the beverages are usually consumed at more moderate amounts and temperatures in Western populations. Also, it suggest that one must have it at moderate temperature.
Another study found that people who drank very hot liquids were more likely to have a type of esophageal cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.
It is important to note that these studies are observational, which means that they cannot prove that drinking hot liquids causes cancer. It is possible that there are other factors that are responsible for the increased risk of cancer, such as smoking or genetics.
Dr Moujhuri Nandi, Consultant Radiation Oncologist at Karkinos Healthcare Pvt. ltd., comments on this by stating, “There has been some speculation that drinking hot beverages like coffee and tea could increase the risk of esophageal cancer. This theory is based on the idea that hot liquids could damage the lining of the esophagus, leading to cell mutation and cancer. The studies that have been done have been flawed, and it is difficult to isolate the effects of hot beverages from other risk factors for cancer. In conclusion, the evidence linking hot beverages to cancer is weak. There are other, more well-established risk factors for cancer, so it is more important to focus on those. If you are concerned about your risk of cancer, talk to your doctor and cut down on habits that are known risk factors and drink all the reasonably hot liquids you want.”
In order to reduce the potential risks of drinking hot liquids, you may want to consider drinking your beverages at a cooler temperature. You may also want to limit your intake of hot liquids, especially if you have other risk factors for esophageal cancer, such as smoking or a family history of the disease.
Can the risk of cancer due to consumption of hot drinks be reduced with Batana oil?
No. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that Batana oil can reduce the risk of cancer due to hot drinks. Firstly, the claim that hot drinks will cause cancer is still debatable.
Batana oil (as per the information available on various e-commerce websites) is a natural oil extracted from the nuts of the American oil palm tree (Elaeis oleifera) by the Miskito people of La Moskitia, Honduras. It has been traditionally used for centuries in Honduras and Central America as a skin and hair treatment.
It is believed to be a rich source of vitamins E and A, as well as omega-6 fatty acids and is known for its cosmetic uses, but, research is not available to prove the same. Also, its effects on cancer risk have not been scientifically studied.
Oncologist Dr Suhas Kirti Singla, Consultant and Head of Department at Positron Hospital, Rohtak clarifies this by stating, “Drinking hot beverages don’t cause cancer directly as per the evidence available but is associated with injury to the lining of food pipe which may make the food pipe prone to cancer if exposed to carcinogens in good amounts like tobacco and alcohol. Batana oil is known to help cosmetically but has not been found to be useful in preventing cancer in any scientific literature.”
To reduce the risk of cancer associated with hot drinks, it is advisable to allow beverages to cool down to a safe temperature before consuming them. Additionally, adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, avoidance of tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption, and regular screenings can help lower the overall risk of developing cancer.
THIP Media has already fact checked a claim which stated that baldness can be treated with Batana oil and found the claim to be False.
Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.
