A new study warns that frequent bubble tea (boba tea) consumption may increase the risk of kidney stones, fatty liver disease, and metabolic issues due to high sugar and calorie content. Tapioca pearls also offer little nutrition and may pose choking risks. Experts say occasional consumption is safe, but moderation is essential. , Health, Times Now
Is Bubble Tea Unhealthy? Study Warns of Kidney Stones, Liver Risk
Bubble tea, also known as Boba tea, is one of the most popular beverages among youngsters – especially the Gen Z. While you may drink it often to satisfy your taste buds, a new study says frequent consumption of bubble tea can be hazardous for your health – including a higher likelihood of kidney stones, fatty liver disease, and other metabolic issues.
The drink, which traces its roots to Taiwan in the 1980s, is a soulful combination of tea, milk, sweeteners, and chewy tapioca pearls. Scientists say the most common concern stems from the high sugar content and calorie load in many commercially available bubble tea drinks.
What does the study say?
The research review, published in Food Science and Nutrition, highlights that cassava-based foods provide very limited nutritional value. This includes tapioca pearls – derived from the cassava plant. According to data by the USDA, a cup of dry tapioca pearls contains 544 calories.
A standard cup of bubble tea can contain 300 to 500 calories and up to 40 to 60 grams of sugar, depending on ingredients such as flavoured syrups, condensed milk, and sweetened tapioca pearls. According to researchers, consuming beverages with such high sugar levels regularly can contribute to metabolic problems that affect the liver and kidneys. Experts warn that excessive sugar intake is associated with an increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) – a condition where fat builds up in the liver even in people who drink little or no alcohol.
Severe risk of kidney stones
Researchers have highlighted a potential link between sugary beverages and the formation of kidney stones. These develop mostly when certain minerals and salts begin to accumulate in your kidneys and crystallize. If you have been eating a diet that is packed with sugar and certain additives, it increases the concentration of these substances in urine, raising the likelihood of stone formation. A few bubble tea drinks also contain ingredients like artificial flavorings, which contribute immensely to additional carbohydrates and additives that increase metabolic stress.
According to doctors, while an occasional bubble tea may not cause harm, regular consumption, especially multiple times a week, can lead to unhealthy dietary patterns.
Stones develop when certain minerals and salts begin to accumulate in your kidneys and crystallize
Choking hazards
The study also says that among younger kids, swallowing the pearls poses a choking hazard. There have been anecdotal reports in Singapore of young adults in their teens choking while drinking bubble tea through wide straws, in one tragic case leading to death, and in another narrowly avoided thanks to bystander intervention.
Also read: World Obesity Day 2026: These 5 Countries Have the Lowest Obesity Levels; Where Does India Rank?
Pearls are under the scanner
Under clinical settings, doctors say tapioca pearls can lead to issues like appendicitis or trauma. Since the pearls are dense, they resemble stones – like gallstones or kidney stones – on x-rays or CT scans, sometimes complicating diagnosis until further investigation clarifies what’s really there.
However, the study has not called for bubble tea to be banned or avoided entirely. For most people, an occasional drink is unlikely to cause serious harm, much like enjoying a sugary latte or dessert now and then.
Healthy ways to enjoy bubble tea
If you love bubble tea, experts recommend a few simple changes to reduce potential health risks:
Choose less sugar or no added sugar options
Opt for smaller portion sizes
Limit high-calorie toppings such as extra pearls or syrups
Select unsweetened tea bases whenever possible
Ultimately, moderation is key. While bubble tea can be an enjoyable treat, making it an occasional indulgence rather than a daily habit may help protect long-term health.
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Ashima Sharda Mahindra author
Is a prolific writer with a varied experience of over two decades of journalism under her belt. She writes passionately about diverse health topics wi … View More
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