When hosting guests, Chinese people often say, "Eat while it's hot." Indeed, food should be eaten hot. Accompanied by a rich aroma, it warms the body on a winter day, a truly comforting experience. However, frequently consuming food that is too hot can cause certain damage to the digestive system, as the hot food makes direct contact with the stomach and intestines. Recently, a report from the Taiwan Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research pointed out that eating food that is too cold or too hot can damage the intestines and bodily functions. Eating food closer to body temperature can help slow down the aging of the digestive system and contribute to a longer life.
From steaming hot noodles to warm and savory buns and dumplings, and sizzling hot pot, Chinese cuisine has always been centered around the concept of "hot." Jiang Bian, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Cuisine Association, explains that this is because the physique of Asians is relatively weaker, and eating hot food provides the body with more energy to help people stay warm and maintain body temperature. In contrast, people in Europe and America tend to be more robust, and the food they consume is generally higher in calories, so they do not have special requirements for food temperature, which is why their diets include more cold food. "Of course, another reason why Chinese people love hot food is that the deliciousness of many foods needs to be 'unleashed' by temperature. The taste and smell of Chinese people have long adapted to this aroma enhanced by heat, so hot food has become an unchanging eating habit for the Chinese nation for thousands of years," Jiang said.
Nevertheless, more and more studies now show that eating too-hot food is closely related to various digestive tract diseases, such as esophageal cancer. This is because the 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 mucous membrane can be scalded. Food that is too hot is around 70-80°C, and freshly brewed tea can reach 80-90°C, which can easily scald the esophageal wall. If one frequently eats hot food, the mucous membrane is injured again before it has a chance to heal, which can lead to superficial ulcers. Repeated scalding and healing can cause changes in the mucous membrane, which can further develop into tumors.
Traditional Chinese Medicine also does not advocate for food that is too hot. In the digestive tract, the digestion process is best carried out at a temperature close to body temperature. Food that is too hot can cause excessive activity of qi and blood, dilate gastrointestinal blood vessels, and irritate 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. The ideal temperature is when it feels slightly warm to the lips, not hot. Similarly, one should pay attention to the temperature of water when drinking. It is best to drink warm water daily, with a 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 stomach lining. Even in winter, water 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. These will not damage the esophagus and also have additional health benefits.