Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Oct 22, 2025 2 hours, 45 minutes ago
Medical News: The Rising Global Bubble Tea Craze
Bubble tea, the colorful Taiwanese beverage that blends milk, tea, sugar, and chewy tapioca pearls, has become a worldwide sensation. From London to Los Angeles and across Asia, millions indulge in this sweet treat daily, drawn by its unique texture and social media allure. However, beneath its charming appearance lies a growing list of health concerns that scientists and medical experts are now warning about. A series of recent studies and consumer investigations are uncovering alarming risks tied to frequent bubble tea consumption, ranging from heavy metal contamination and digestive blockages to kidney stones and even mental health issues.
Taiwanese Bubble Tea Linked to Hidden Health Risks and Toxic Contamination
According to experts from Taipei Medical University, the University of California San Francisco, the National Taiwan University Hospital, and Singapore General Hospital, bubble tea’s ingredients and additives may pose significant health hazards if consumed regularly. In the middle of this growing concern, this
Medical News report highlights that the once-innocent drink is now under increasing scrutiny from medical authorities and nutrition researchers worldwide.
Lead Contamination in Tapioca Pearls
One of the most serious revelations came from a Consumer Reports investigation in the United States, which found unusually high levels of lead in some bubble tea products. Lead contamination in these drinks is believed to originate from the tapioca pearls, made from cassava starch. The cassava plant easily absorbs heavy metals like lead and cadmium from contaminated soil. These toxic elements can then accumulate in the body over time, damaging organs and impairing neurological function, especially in children and pregnant women. Although there have not yet been equivalent testing results in the United Kingdom or parts of Asia, food safety researchers warn that similar contamination could exist in unregulated or imported brands.
Digestive Dangers and Choking Risks
Tapioca pearls may also pose mechanical risks to digestion. Because they are largely indigestible starch, consuming large quantities can slow stomach emptying or even lead to gastroparesis—a disorder that prevents proper digestion. In severe cases, undigested pearls can form clumps, causing intestinal blockages that result in nausea, vomiting, bloating, and pain. Guar gum, a thickener often added to enhance texture, can worsen constipation if consumed excessively.
There have been multiple reports of choking incidents associated with bubble tea. Pediatricians warn that children under six should not drink it, as the pearls can easily obstruct airways. A tragic case in Singapore involved a 19-year-old woman who died after inhaling pearls while trying to unclog her straw. Even adults are at risk, and doctors emphasize the importance of sipping slowly or using wider straws designed for safety.
Kidney Stones and Metabolic Risks
In one shocking 2023 medical case, doctor
s at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital in Taiwan removed more than 300 kidney stones from a 20-year-old woman who reportedly replaced water with bubble tea as her main beverage. The tapioca pearls and added milk powders were found to contain compounds like oxalate and phosphate, which contribute to kidney stone formation. While this case was extreme, nephrologists warn that regular consumption could increase risk for those already predisposed to kidney issues or dehydration.
Moreover, the drink’s average sugar content—ranging from 20 to 50 grams per serving—is equivalent to or higher than that of a can of Coca-Cola. Researchers at the National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University found that Taiwanese children who consumed bubble tea regularly by age nine were nearly twice as likely to have cavities in their permanent teeth. The sugar spike not only damages dental enamel but also increases the likelihood of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver disease—conditions already on the rise among Asian adolescents.
Sugar, Caffeine, and Mental Health Links
Beyond the physical health concerns, new studies suggest that bubble tea may have psychological effects as well. Researchers from Guangzhou Medical University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong observed that frequent bubble tea consumption was linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression in school-aged children and young adults. The high sugar content causes blood glucose swings that may influence mood and energy levels, while caffeine from the tea base can lead to sleep disturbances, irritability, and heart palpitations when consumed excessively.
Among adults, a study involving 1,200 Chinese nurses discovered that those who drank bubble tea several times a week reported more symptoms of fatigue, job burnout, and poor emotional well-being compared to those who rarely consumed it. Interestingly, lower consumption was correlated with fewer suicidal thoughts, though researchers cautioned that this association did not prove direct causation.
Bubble Tea Pearls Showing Up in Medical Scans
A bizarre but real phenomenon has puzzled doctors: undigested tapioca pearls appearing in X-rays and CT scans of patients admitted for unrelated reasons. Emergency physicians in China and Japan have reported seeing clusters of opaque spheres inside patients’ stomachs and intestines—sometimes mistaken for kidney stones or gallstones. While generally harmless if eventually passed, these residues illustrate just how difficult tapioca pearls are to digest, especially when consumed frequently.
Other Hidden Health Effects
Regular bubble tea drinkers might also experience metabolic slowdowns, acne outbreaks, and inflammation from high sugar intake. Nutritionists warn that added syrups and flavored toppings can contain high sodium levels, increasing the risk of hypertension and heart disease. The caffeine in black or green tea bases can also lead to insomnia, jitteriness, and dehydration, particularly when consumed late in the day. Furthermore, tannins in tea may reduce iron absorption, potentially contributing to fatigue or anemia in individuals with low iron intake.
A Treat to Be Enjoyed in Moderation
While experts are not calling for an outright ban on bubble tea, most agree that moderation is crucial. The drink should be treated as an occasional indulgence rather than a daily habit. Choosing smaller portions, reducing sugar levels, skipping high-calorie toppings, and alternating with water or herbal teas can help minimize risks. Consumers should also buy from reputable vendors and avoid products with unclear labeling, particularly in regions where food safety oversight is weak.
Ultimately, bubble tea’s appeal lies in its playful presentation and social experience, but as medical findings increasingly reveal, excessive consumption may harm the body in ways not immediately visible. From kidney stones to anxiety, the beverage represents a modern health paradox—sweet on the surface, yet toxic when abused. Public health experts now urge awareness campaigns to educate young consumers, especially teenagers, about its hidden risks before it becomes a long-term public health burden.
References:
https://journals.lww.com/ajg/fulltext/2024/10001/s5205_boba_tea_blues__an_unexpected_complication.5206.aspx
https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/china/taiwan-woman-kidney-stones-bubble-tea-water-b2464571.html
https://www.bio-conferences.org/articles/bioconf/pdf/2021/13/bioconf_biomic2021_05001.pdf
https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/149/1%20Meeting%20Abstracts%20February%202022/225/185911
https://mustsharenews.com/boba-choke-death/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016503272101380X
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032724017543
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7517914/
https://www.annemergmed.com/article/S0196-0644(20)30560-6/pdf
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9768033/
https://mustsharenews.com/girl-saves-woman-heimlich-manoeuvre/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/cdoe.12683
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fsn3.362
https://jdmfs.org/index.php/jdmfs/article/view/1527
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10629746/
https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-contaminants/we-tested-bubble-tea-for-lead-here-is-what-we-found-a1681465194/
https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-contaminants/cassava-flour-chips-bread-more-contain-high-levels-of-lead-a7817220954/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/ijfo/5137953
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187595722500097X
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gastroparesis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355787
For the latest on Taiwanese garbage and shitty medical devices or medical and health products from Taiwan, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/health-news
Share
Tweet
Share
