Why You Should Think Twice Before Drinking Bubble Tea Every Day
Since its creation in Taiwan in the early 1980s, bubble tea has become an international success. Also called boba tea or milk tea, this fun and flavorful drink has grown in popularity around the world and piqued the interest of many Americans, so much so that there are now more than 800 bubble tea shops across the country (via Eat This, Not That). However, this doesn't mean that bubble tea is necessarily healthy or good for you.
Bubble tea is an iced beverage made with milk, tea, sugar, and boba, which are large, chewy tapioca balls. The drink can also be made with fruit and flavored syrups. While it might seem like bubble tea gets its name from the boba at the bottom of the drink, it actually refers to the bubble foam that rises to the top of the cup after it is vigorously shaken. Bubble tea did not contain any boba when it was first invented.
The downsides of bubble tea
Although bubble tea is made with black and green tea, which can help boost your immune system and reduce inflammation, it also contains high quantities of sugar. A 16-ounce serving of bubble tea can contain anywhere from 36 to 65 grams of sugar, depending on the flavor (via Healthline). Bubble tea is also high in calories and can range from 232 to 318 calories per serving.
As a result, drinking bubble tea every day may lead to weight gain and can even increase your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Drinking too much bubble tea may also result in abdominal pain and constipation due to its high dairy content and the lack of fiber in the drink's signature tapioca balls. However, this doesn't mean that you can't still enjoy a cup of bubble tea from time to time. It just means that, like with anything, you should drink bubble tea in moderation.