{"id":330157,"date":"2025-08-09T09:03:30","date_gmt":"2025-08-09T09:03:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/330157\/"},"modified":"2025-08-09T09:03:30","modified_gmt":"2025-08-09T09:03:30","slug":"is-bubble-tea-healthy-heres-what-dietitians-think-about-boba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/330157\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Bubble Tea Healthy? Here\u2019s What Dietitians Think About Boba"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Boba\u2014also known as bubble tea or pearl milk tea\u2014is a drink made from tea, milk, sweeteners, and tapioca pearls. While it&#8217;s perfectly okay to enjoy boba in moderation, this tea is often packed with <strong>sugar, calories<\/strong>, and <strong>additives<\/strong> that could raise health concerns if you drink too much.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_5-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Boba usually includes:\n<\/p>\n<ul id=\"mntl-sc-block_7-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\">\n<li>Brewed tea\u2014such as black, jasmine, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.com\/nutrition\/benefits-green-tea\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">green tea<\/a>\u2014or tea concentrate<\/li>\n<li>Milk<\/li>\n<li>Sweetener<\/li>\n<li>Tapioca pearls<a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.com\/teas-for-inflammation-8670692\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_9-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Certain teas, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.com\/black-tea-benefits-8667748\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">black tea<\/a>, contain <a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.com\/effects-of-caffeine-8698957\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>caffeine<\/strong><\/a>. Caffeine can improve alertness and help you think clearly.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_11-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Various <a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.com\/types-of-tea-8619678\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">types of tea<\/a> also contain <strong>polyphenols<\/strong>. These plant compounds act as antioxidants that protect your cells against damage. Research has shown that polyphenols might lower the risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_14-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> The nutrition of your boba will vary depending on its ingredients, including the type of milk and sweetener you add.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_16-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> For example, one 490-milliliter serving of bubble tea made with brown sugar and tapioca pearls contains:\n<\/p>\n<ul id=\"mntl-sc-block_18-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\">\n<li><strong>Calories: <\/strong>270<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fat: <\/strong>7.01 grams (g)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sodium: <\/strong>211 milligrams (mg)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Carbohydrates: <\/strong>45 g<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fiber: <\/strong>0 g<\/li>\n<li><strong>Added sugars: <\/strong>35.8 g<\/li>\n<li><strong>Protein: <\/strong>5.98 g<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_21-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Bubble tea is generally safe to consume, though it&#8217;s best to do so in moderation. Drinking too much may lead to certain complications, such as:\n<\/p>\n<ul id=\"mntl-sc-block_23-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\">\n<li><strong>Diabetes and obesity: <\/strong>Just one 16-ounce boba has more added sugar than the recommended daily allowance. Too much added sugar can increase your risk of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.com\/diabetes-7566897\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">diabetes<\/a> and obesity.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Constipation: <\/strong>Tapioca pearls often contain a fiber called guar gum. This additive helps hold the pearls together. Guar gum expands when it comes into contact with water. Consuming too much of it can lead to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.com\/condition\/constipation\/constipation-symptoms\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">constipation<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_26-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> You can still reap the benefits of tea without consuming too much added sugar.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_28-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Try enjoying your favorite tea variety\u2014such as black, jasmine, or green tea\u2014with a few drops of honey for a bit of sweetness.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_30-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.com\/nutrition\/what-is-matcha\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Matcha<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is a powdered green tea that is a source of antioxidants and <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.health.com\/effects-of-caffeine-8698957\" link-destination-recommendation=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">caffeine<\/a>. You can add milk to matcha for a similar creamy texture to boba.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_33-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> It&#8217;s perfectly okay to enjoy boba now and then. Here are a few ways to make healthier choices when ordering it:\n<\/p>\n<ul id=\"mntl-sc-block_35-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\">\n<li><strong>Add fewer toppings: <\/strong>Tapioca pearls add sugar to your drink, so ask for fewer of these bubbles. Some boba tea shops give you the option to add jellies and specialty tapioca pearls. Avoid or limit these options to reduce your sugar intake.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ask for a low-sugar alternative:<\/strong> Boba often uses sweeteners to add flavor. Opt for natural sweeteners, such as monk fruit, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.com\/stevia-benefits-8634412\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stevia<\/a>, or yacon syrup.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Choose non-dairy milk: <\/strong>Soy, <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.health.com\/oat-milk-vs-almond-milk-8759339\" link-destination-recommendation=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">almond, and oat milk<\/a> typically have fewer calories than whole milk.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_38-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Boba is generally safe to drink, but it&#8217;s best to enjoy it in moderation. This beverage is typically high in sugar and calories and contains guar gum, which may lead to constipation. Drinking too much bubble tea may increase your risk of diabetes and obesity. You might reduce your risk of constipation by drinking plenty of water.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Boba\u2014also known as bubble tea or pearl milk tea\u2014is a drink made from tea, milk, sweeteners, and tapioca&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":330158,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4318],"tags":[105,4434,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-330157","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nutrition","8":"tag-health","9":"tag-nutrition","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330157","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=330157"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330157\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/330158"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=330157"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=330157"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=330157"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}