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Hotpot Hazard: Woman Gets 8cm Ulcer from Scalding Meal
22 May
Summary
- Woman developed an 8cm ulcer after eating piping hot hotpot.
- Oesophageal lining can only tolerate 50-60 degrees Celsius.
- Hot food consumption is linked to China's high oesophageal cancer rate.
A woman in China's Hunan province experienced severe chest pain and a burning throat after rapidly eating scalding hotpot. Her condition escalated to difficulty swallowing, leading to hospitalisation where doctors discovered an 8cm ulcer in her oesophagus. Medical experts explained that the oesophageal lining can only withstand temperatures up to 60 degrees Celsius, while hotpot items can reach 80-90 degrees Celsius, causing internal burns.
Doctors advised against drinking ice-cold water immediately after consuming extremely hot food, as it can worsen irritation. The incident underscores a broader health concern in China, where the popular consumption of very hot food, including favoured spicy hotpot variations, is linked to the country's high rate of oesophageal cancer, accounting for nearly 40 per cent of global cases.
The World Health Organization's cancer research agency has classified beverages above 65 degrees Celsius as 'probably carcinogenic to humans,' emphasizing the risks associated with habitually consuming excessively hot food and drinks.
