"Eat while it's hot" has always been a common courtesy when hosting guests in China, but this custom might need to be revised. Recently, a report from the Taiwan Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research indicated that consuming food that is too hot or too cold can damage the intestines and bodily functions. Eating foods closer to body temperature can slow down the aging of the digestive system and help people live longer.
However, more and more studies now show that eating food that is too hot is closely linked to various digestive tract diseases, such as esophageal cancer. This is because the human esophageal wall is composed of mucous membrane, which is very delicate and can only tolerate food at 50-60°C. Beyond this temperature, the esophageal mucosa can be scalded. Food that is too hot is around 70-80°C; freshly brewed tea, for instance, can reach 80-90°C and easily scald the esophageal wall. If one frequently eats hot food, the mucosal injury has no time to heal before being scalded again, which can lead to superficial ulcers. Repeated scalding and healing can cause changes in the mucosal tissue, which can further develop into tumors.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) also advises against consuming overly hot food. Jiang Liangduo, a professor of internal medicine at the Dongzhimen Hospital of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, said: "In the digestive tract, the digestive process is best carried out at a temperature close to body temperature. Overly hot food can cause excessive activity of qi and blood, leading to the dilation of gastrointestinal blood vessels and causing irritation to the stomach and intestines."
Therefore, the most suitable food temperature is "neither cold nor hot." "Many parents blow on food for their babies until it is slightly warm before feeding them. In fact, this temperature is also the most suitable for adults. If it feels slightly warm to the lips and is not scalding, that is the ideal temperature," Jiang Liangduo said. Similarly, people should also pay attention to the temperature of the water they drink. It is best to drink warm water daily, with a water temperature between 18-45°C. Water that is too hot can not only damage tooth enamel but can also strongly irritate the throat, digestive tract, and gastric mucosa. Even in winter, the water temperature should not exceed 50°C. If you are particularly sensitive to cold, you can eat more foods with a "heat-producing" effect, such as ginger, pepper, cinnamon, and chili. This will not damage the esophagus and can also provide additional health benefits.