Source: Science daily
Yes, bubble tea can be unhealthy if we consume it regularly because it has a lot of sugars and calories.If we consume bubble tea occasionally, it’s not a big issue, but if we consume it every day, it can be unhealthy for us.If we look at the bubble tea, we can see that it looks cute, nice, and sweet, but there are a lot of hidden issues, such as too much sugar, digestion, and even contamination
What Do Scientists Say About Bubble Tea?
Scientists say that it is safe sometimes, but it is not healthy every day.
Experts say that there is a high sugar content, problems with digestion, and there are possible risks of contamination.Scientists do not say that “bubble tea is poison,” but they say that we should “drink it in moderation.”
Does Bubble Tea Have Too Much Sugar?
Yes, as all bubble tea drinks contain 20–50g of sugar. This is as much as a drink containing soda. Consuming too much sugar can lead to many health issues such as weight gain, cavities, diabetes, and fatty liver. Some places also offer additional syrups, sweet milk, and extra toppings. If you consume it regularly, it can increase your calorie intake rapidly, which is not good for your fitness too.
Can Tapioca Pearls Cause Health Problems?
Yes, eating too much of them may cause slow digestion and stomach pain.The tapioca pearls are made from cassava starch, which is quite heavy and difficult to digest.Even people with poor digestion may experience bloating and constipation.
Can Bubble Tea Contain Heavy Metals?
Occasionally, there may be a presence of a small amount of heavy metal in bubble tea because the tapioca pearls used in the beverage are derived from cassava root, and the plant has the natural ability to absorb minerals from the soil in which it is grown. If the soil or water used to irrigate the soil has heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, or arsenic, the beverage will have a small amount of the metal. However, it should be noted that the chances of such a situation arising are low because the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Food and Drug Administration, European Food Safety Authority, and other such authorities regulate all food items to ensure that the amount of heavy metal in them is within the safe limits.
Does Bubble Tea Cause Kidney Stones?
Yes, if you drink many cups of bubble tea a day and do not drink enough water, it can cause the formation of kidney stones. This is so because the tea contains a lot of sugar as well as oxalate. Although tea contains oxalate when it is black tea, green tea, or chocolate tea, the major reason why bubble tea can cause the formation of kidney stones is the presence of a lot of sugar in the tea. The tea contains a lot of fructose, which is a type of sugar. The tea also makes your body lose a lot of calcium as well as dehydrate if you do not drink a lot of water. Health institutions such as the National Kidney Foundation have pointed out that the formation of kidney stones is caused by a lot of sugar as well as dehydration.
Does Bubble Tea Affect Mental Health?
Yes, bubble tea may indirectly impact mental health if it is consumed too often, mostly due to the impact of sugar, caffeine, and lifestyle factors. Some studies have found that individuals who consume too many sweet drinks, such as bubble tea, experience more anxiety and depression. This does not imply that bubble tea is the main contributor to mental health disorders, but too much bubble tea may impact an individual’s mood by various means.
One way is that the high sugar level may result in fluctuations in the level of glucose, causing tiredness, irritability, lack of energy, and mood swings. The other way is that the caffeine present in the tea or coffee flavor of bubble tea may trigger anxiety, nervousness, sleep disorders, etc., in some individuals. The third way is that the regular consumption of bubble tea may replace the intake of healthy meals or water, causing nutritional deficiencies, weight gain, or lack of exercise, all of which may lead to mental health disorders, as emphasized by the World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association.
Final Answer
It is safe when taken occasionally, but when taken too frequently, bubble tea can result in many health issues, as most bubble teas contain high amounts of sugar, calories, and carbohydrates. Drinking a large size bubble tea can contain 300-600+ calories, as well as high amounts of sugar, that can lead to weight gain and obesity if taken regularly.
