Bubble tea to black tea: The health implications of popular brews you should know about

Bubble tea, made from green or black tea, is often enriched with additives such as powdered milk, sugar, flavored syrups, honey, sweeteners, tapioca, and artificial flavors.

Dieticians raise concerns over the high sugar content and calorie content of this drink, given the global obesity epidemic and associated health conditions due to excessive sugar consumption. Furthermore, the presence of powdered milk (often with trans fats included) and artificial flavors can detract from the healthiness of the tea.

Looking at bubble tea's impact on health, the role of tapioca - the characteristic balls found in the drink - should not be overlooked. They could lead to elevated blood glucose levels, implying that regular consumption of this beverage could contribute to insulin resistance and, over time, type 2 diabetes.

Yerba mate, a tea brewed from the leaves of the Paraguayan holly, is known for being abundant in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It is often consumed for its energizing qualities and its ability to enhance concentration.

However, when assessing the full health impact of this beverage, the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) must be accounted for. PAHs are chemicals produced during the leaf-drying process and are known to be mutagenic and carcinogenic.

Research suggests an elevated cancer risk in the digestive system among those who consume large quantities of yerba mate regularly, possibly correlated with exposure to PAHs. It bears mentioning that the way the drink is prepared - including water temperature and brewing duration - could affect the degree of PAH extraction, thus altering the health risk.

Black tea is lauded for its antioxidant properties and its beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. Conversely, it does contain lead and aluminum. Even when consumed in small quantities, these elements can accumulate within the body, potentially disrupting the function of various organs, notably the brain, kidneys, and bones.

The concentrations of these elements in tea leaves can vary significantly depending upon where they are grown, the environmental conditions, and processing methods.

Although black tea is considered generally safe, consumers are advised to moderate its consumption. Indulging in more than a few cups a day will not be beneficial to our health!