Are bubble tea pearls healthy? They may be tasty, but it’s time to start ordering bubble tea without those yummy pearls.
A few years ago bubble tea was relatively unknown in Melbourne, but recently it’s become ubiquitous with shops opening on almost every street corner of the CBD.
The high-calorie drink’s popularity has skyrocketed and now commands a large following of loyal young customers. But for the health conscious, it may be time to scale back the intake.
Apart from tea and milk, bubble tea is mainly tapioca pearls and a bit hit of sugar.
A 700ml milk tea contains roughly 1600 kJ (389 calories) from as much as 40.6 grams of sugar. According to the American Heart Association, the sugar content of one drink alone exceeds the recommended maximum daily intake.
In addition, the sugar in black tapioca balls can supply around 594 kJ (140 calories) extra. The pearls are also basically carbohydrate and lack vitamins and minerals.
Seven Xu, a health coach, insists a healthy diet should play an important role in daily routine. She says added sugar doesn’t contribute to nutrition, but can decelerate a person’s metabolism and make calories dense.
“A cup of bubble tea occupies over a quarter of daily calorie intake, which equals two bowls of rice,” she says.
On the other hand, some researchers say milk wrecks the main health reward of consuming tea.
Darryl Small, RMIT associate professor of food chemistry, says on its own, green tea contains beneficial antioxidants.
“(But) The protein components in milk can bind to the polyphenols in tea. This will reduce the antioxidant capacity of (green) tea.”
So given the great amount of sugar and calories in bubble tea, it is best to enjoy this popular beverage in moderation.
Cultivate an active lifestyle, your body will thank you!
(Featured image: A popular Swanston St bubble tea store on August 10, 2018. It is known for its pearl varieties. Photo: Brittany Li)
