Is Bubble Tea Healthy and What Nutrients are in Boba Tea?

April 04,2024

Bubble tea, also known as boba tea, is a popular drink which originated in Taiwan. It is usually served cold and includes a tea base, sweetener, milk, and a topping. However, fruit teas are becoming a trendy drink as more people choose veganism. Those drinks consist of a tea base, fruit syrup, sweetener, and topping.

Are There Any Health Benefits to Drinking Regular Boba Tea?

While boba tea can be a tasty treat, there are very few health benefits. The main health benefits include would be the antioxidants in tea. Some types of tea used in boba drinks, such as green or black tea, contain antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and protect against chronic diseases.

At Tempo, we create bubble tea with added vitamins B & C, giving you an extra boost of energy and immunity support.

Unsweetened Tea Base - The healthiest part of bubble tea

Black or green tea is usually the healthiest component of boba drinks due to its high antioxidant content. It provides many health benefits such as lower blood pressure and contains no added sugar.

Black tea is the most commonly used base for milk tea. Polyphenols, known as antioxidants, are a rich source that have been shown to provide many health benefits. They can help reduce inflammation, improve heart health, and lower the risk of developing chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes.

Green tea is another popular base for bubble tea and is well-known for its high levels of catechins, another type of antioxidant. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties as well as the ability to improve brain function and aid in weight loss.

Bubble Tea Toppings - Tapioca pearls and boba pearls

The most popular topping for boba milk tea is the chewy tapioca balls made from cassava root. This topping is usually cooked in water but mixed with syrup and brown sugar after cooking. This makes tapioca pearls the unhealthiest topping used in boba tea. (358kcal per 100g).

Popping boba, also known as fruit pearls are small, juice-filled spheres that burst with fruit juice when you bite into them. It's a popular fruit tea topping because of its refreshing taste and fruity flavour. Appealing to those who don't like tapioca and want a healthier option. (84kcal per 100g).

Understanding the Sugar Content in Bubble Tea

Most bubble tea drinks contain a lot of sugar, from the sweetened syrups, flavoured powders, and whole milk. A typical bubble tea can contain anywhere from 50-100 grams of sugar per serving (up to 24 teaspoons of sugar). Many boba shops tend to use large amounts of sugar to enhance the flavour of their drinks since it's very cheap and cost-effective. But here at Tempo, we avoid using high levels of sugar and opt for natural sweeteners like Stevia and Xylitol, which are higher quality and contains fewer calories.

High sugar levels can have several negative impacts on health, including:

Increased risk of obesity
Increased risk of diabetes
Increased risk of heart disease
Dental health problems
Increased risk of fatty liver disease
Negative impact on mental health

Overall, it's important to track and control sugar intake to reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases.

Tips for Reducing Sugar Content in Bubble Tea

Choose sugar-free options or ask for your bubble tea to be made with less sugar
Limit or skip the toppings
Choose dairy alternatives like coconut milk, or oat milk
Make your own bubble tea at home - use less sugar or alternative sweeteners to create a healthier version of your favorite drink

It is important to check the nutrition label on the specific brand of fruit syrup used in your boba tea. It's also advisable to consume drinks made with fruit syrups in moderation due to their high sugar content.

This is why we've developed our own tea concentrates instead of using fruit syrups. This removes the large amounts of sugar for people who want drinks with lower calorie content and a healthy lifestyle.

Conclusion

Overall, bubble tea can be a refreshing treat that offers some health benefits depending on the ingredients used. Any tea with 100% sugar as well as tapioca pearls as the topping is most likely the unhealthiest bubble tea due to the high sugar content. However, you can ask the staff to make it less sweet in-store. Or, if you make your own bubble tea at home, you can use less syrup and more tea.

We provide high-quality drinks that are thoughtfully made and packed with health benefits such as vitamins B and C. Use this opportunity to treat yourself and your body well by trying our Bubble Tea Cans or make your own drinks at home with our Boba Tea Kits.