Health Dangers of Bubble Tea – and Why You Shouldn’t Use Straws

They have become as ubiquitous on British high streets as coffee shops – bubbles Tea outlets are offering their InstagramWorth drinking in countless flavor combinations. A blend of black tea, milk, sugar and chewable tapioca pearls, the Taiwanese drink has gained global popularity since its origins in the 1980s. But recent findings suggest that this trendy drink may deserve closer scrutiny.

A Consumer Reports investigation revealed high lead levels in some bubble tea products in the US, echoing previous concerns about cassava-based foods. (No equivalent UK trial has been published.) Tapioca pearls – those signature “bubbles” – are made from cassava starch, and the root vegetable readily absorbs lead and other heavy metals from the soil as it grows.

Tapioca pearls pose other risks besides contamination. Their starchy composition means that consuming large amounts can delay stomach emptying – a condition called gastroparesis – or, in some cases, lead to complete blockage.

Both can cause nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain, and symptoms can be especially severe in people whose digestion is already slow. Even guar gum – a thickener that is often added to bubble tea and is harmless in small amounts – can cause constipation if you drink it too often.

The composition of the drink also affects kidney health. In 2023, Taiwanese doctors removed more than 300 kidney stones from a 20-year-old woman who was drinking bubble tea instead of water. Certain components, including oxalate and high phosphate levels, may contribute to stone formation. However, this extreme case probably reflects exceptionally high consumption.

For children, the risks are more immediate. The beads can be a choking hazard – a risk that has been well documented by pediatricians. Adults are not immune to this risk. According to media reports SingaporeA 19-year-old woman died after inhaling three beads while forcefully sucking on a partially clogged straw, while another woman narrowly escaped the same fate thanks to a fast-acting bystander.

sugar problem

The sugar content poses long-term health concerns. Most bubble teas contain 20–50 grams of sugar, which is equal to or more than a can of Coca-Cola (35 grams). research in taiwan found that by the age of nine, children who regularly drank bubble tea were 1.7 times more likely to have cavities in their permanent teeth.

In California, this beverage is considered a contributing factor to the obesity epidemic among youth, yet many young adults remain unaware of these risks.

The high sugar and fat content increases the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, obesity and metabolic disease, while long-term intake may contribute to fatty liver disease – a consequence associated with any high-sugar product that increases blood sugar and promotes fat storage in the liver.

Perhaps most surprising is that emerging research suggests potential mental health effects. Studies of Chinese children who frequently consume bubble tea show an association with increased rates of anxiety and depression. Similar patterns appear in adults: Research conducted on Chinese nurses found that regular bubble tea consumption was associated with less anxiety, depression, fatigue, job burnout, and poor health, even after controlling for other factors. The same study has linked reduced consumption to fewer suicidal thoughts, although establishing causation remains complex.

strange scan

There’s also a strange medical phenomenon associated with bubble tea consumption: tapioca pearls appear on scans of patients admitted for unrelated emergencies.

Doctors who treat people after car accidents or suffering from appendicitis see dozens of beads in the stomach and digestive tract. These can sometimes cause diagnostic confusion, as they appear denser than the surrounding tissue and have stone-like properties similar to kidney or gallstones.

This doesn’t mean that bubble tea should be banned, but it does suggest that we treat it as an occasional indulgence rather than a daily habit. And if you indulge, consider leaving a straw. Drinking straight from the cup gives you better control, and allows the sensory receptors in your mouth to properly prepare for what’s to come.