,A study of 50,000 people suggests very hot drinks may be linked to a 90 per higher risk of oesophageal cancer

Drinking 700ml a day of tea at 60 degrees Celsius or higher was "consistently associated" with a 90 per cent increased risk of the disease, compared with people whose drinks were cooler.

The study published in the International Journal of Cancer looked at the drinking habits of 50,045 people in northeastern Iran - aged 40 to 75.

Lead author Dr Farhad Islami says drinking very hot tea can increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, so it's advisable to wait until hot beverages cool down before drinking.

"As long you're letting your tea cool down a bit before you drink it, or adding cold milk, you're unlikely to be raising your cancer risk."

Researchers concluded: "Our results substantially strengthen the existing evidence supporting an association between hot beverage drinking and (oesophageal cancer)."

The World Cancer Research Fund says it doesn't mean tea lovers can't enjoy a hot drink - but prevention is key.