Bubble tea, also known as boba tea, is a current favourite drink of many youngsters. The pearl tea drink, made with a base of black tea with milk, flavoured syrup, and tapioca pearls, originated in Taiwan in the early 1980s. In recent times, it has become extremely popular in several parts of the world, including India. But with rising popularity, many wonder whether it is healthy or not.
In 2019, a report published by Shaoxing News, a news outlet in China, said a 14-year-old girl had to be taken to hospital in the Zhejiang province in eastern China after being constipated and having stomach ache for five continuous days. The doctors reportedly found over 100 undigested bubble tea balls or pearls or bobas in her abdomen, which were blocking her intestines. This raised a lot of concerns among the people. To find out how safe or healthy bubble tea is, we spoke to two experts.
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Why Is Bubble Tea So Popular?
What makes boba or bubble tea stand out from other drinks is that it contains chewy, edible pearl-like balls that are not only tasty but also fun to eat. Furthermore, it now comes in many different flavours.
Is It Safe To Drink Bubble Tea Regularly?
According to Dr Soumita Biswas, Chief Nutritionist, Aster RV Hospital in Bengaluru, bubble tea is not a healthy drink as it contains a lot of sugar and added colour.
Dr Edwina Raj, Senior Dietician at the same hospital, said, “Two cups of bubble tea have more than 30 gm of sugar, and calories equal to an aerated cool drink. This is much higher than the recommended limits for an adult and it is not advisable.” As per the US Department of Agriculture, a 475 ml serving usually contains around 300 calories and 38 grams of sugar. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends a consumption of no more than 100 calories of sugar per day for most adult women and no more than 150 calories per day for most men.
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What Are Tapioca Balls?
Tapioca is a starch derived from the cassava root, grown most prominently in Mexico but also in other tropical parts of the world. They are translucent, black-coloured spheres that are edible and added to boba drinks. According to Dr Edwina, it mostly contains carbs that quickly spikes sugar levels and, if consumed regularly, increases the risk of diabetes, hypertension, and heart-related ailments. "Tapioca balls are no doubt gluten-free but low in protein, vitamins and minerals," she added.
A review published in the Food Science and Nutrition, cassava foods that have very limited nutritional value. This includes the tapioca pearls that are derived from the plant. According to the USDA, a cup of dry tapioca pearls contain 544 calories.
How To Safely Consume Bubble Tea
“Bubble tea is high in sugar; however, the base of tea is green or black tea, which are rich in antioxidants called polyphenols. These are associated with reducing inflammation and fighting cancer,” said Dr Raj, adding, “Thus, opt for green tea or black tea with low sugar portions to make it healthy and safe to consume.”
It is important to note that bubble or boba tea are generally safe to drink. However, moderation is key.