BUBBLE TEA

The tea-based beverage known as "bubble tea" first appeared in Taiwan in the early 1980s. It was introduced to the United States by Taiwanese immigrants in the 1990s, it has since expanded to other nations with significant East Asian diaspora communities.

Boba tea consists of a tea base (white, green, or black) that is mixed or shaken with milk or other fruits, and fruit jelly or tapioca balls are added, which sink to the bottom. Ice is often blended into the mixture, which results in a slushy or smoothie consistency. There are different fruits and flavors that can be used in bubble tea and the most popular varieties are bubble milk tea and bubble milk green tea.

Bubble tea can be good for you if you choose the right ingredients and avoid adding excess sugar to the beverage. However, there are healthier ways to prepare this beverage, particularly if you are making it for yourself at home. This exotic tea has the following benefits:

MAY BOOST ENERGY Owing to the sugar in bubble tea, in addition to the caffeine that is found in black, white, or green tea, this popular Taiwanese drink can provide a major boost in energy. While you don’t want to overdo this beverage, given its high calorie and sugar count, a healthier version with less sugar could still provide a kickstart to your metabolism.

MAY STRENGTHEN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM Green tea, one of the most popular flavors of bubble tea, contains a wide range of potent antioxidants such as catechins and polyphenols, all of which can boost the immune system by preventing oxidative stress. Furthermore, if you choose fresh fruits in your tea such as mango, strawberry, or kiwi, you will also get a dose of vitamin C in your tea, meaning even more of a boost to the immune system.

MAY PREVENT FREE RADICAL DAMAGE The polyphenols and epigallocatechin found in green bubble tea can have impressive effects on the free radicals floating around your body. These free radicals may cause mutation and lead to chronic diseases and cancer, so adding green tea to your diet is always a good choice. However, further research and studies are required.

These health benefits are largely negated when you drink a normal, sugar-rich, and calorie-heavy bubble tea. Creating your own healthier versions at home is highly suggested if you want to enjoy any of these effects.

Due to the ingredients and inherent nature of this tea, there are some side effects that people may want to avoid. These include:

WEIGHT GAIN Regular consumption of bubble tea, without adjustments in calorie intake in other areas, may result in weight gain. If you combine fruit syrup, sweetened condensed milk, and tapioca balls in a glass of bubble tea, the calorie count can often climb past 350 calories, which is on the higher side.

DIABETES Due to the high levels of sugar and the fact that tapioca balls are a rich source of carbohydrates, this beverage isn’t recommended for people who have diabetes or are at high risk for developing that condition.

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