Bubble tea has become one of the most popular drinks in many cities around the world. In the United Kingdom and many other countries, bubble tea shops now appear on busy shopping streets almost as often as coffee shops.
The drink is known for its bright colors, sweet taste, and chewy black tapioca pearls that sit at the bottom of the cup. Many people enjoy taking photos of these colorful drinks before drinking them. Although bubble tea is fun and fashionable, scientists and doctors are starting to warn that drinking it too often may bring several health concerns.
Bubble tea first appeared in Taiwan during the 1980s. The drink usually combines black tea, milk, sugar, flavorings, and tapioca pearls made from cassava starch.
Over time, many new versions have appeared. Some include fruit flavors, syrups, jelly toppings, or popping pearls filled with juice. Because the drink can be customized in so many ways, it has become very popular among young people.
However, recent research and consumer investigations suggest that some ingredients in bubble tea may have health risks when consumed frequently.
One concern involves possible exposure to heavy metals. An investigation by Consumer Reports in the United States found higher levels of lead in some bubble tea products. Lead is a toxic metal that can harm the brain and nervous system, especially in children. It can also affect kidney function and development.
The source of this contamination may come from cassava plants. Tapioca pearls are made from cassava starch, and cassava plants are known to absorb heavy metals such as lead from soil as they grow. If the soil contains contaminants, those substances may eventually appear in foods made from cassava.
Although the levels found in most drinks are unlikely to cause immediate illness, experts say that repeated exposure over long periods could be harmful. Because bubble tea can be consumed frequently by some people, this issue has attracted attention from health researchers.
Another concern involves digestion. Tapioca pearls are dense and rich in starch. When someone eats large amounts of them, the stomach may empty more slowly than usual. In medical terms, this condition is sometimes called gastroparesis, which means delayed stomach emptying.
When digestion slows down, people may experience nausea, vomiting, bloating, or stomach pain. In rare cases, large amounts of pearls could even cause a blockage in the digestive system. This problem is more likely to affect people who already have digestive issues.
Some bubble tea drinks also contain guar gum, a thickening ingredient used to create a smoother texture. Guar gum is generally safe when eaten in small amounts, but if consumed frequently or in large quantities it may contribute to constipation or digestive discomfort.
Doctors have also raised questions about kidney health in relation to bubble tea consumption. In one widely reported case in Taiwan, doctors removed more than 300 kidney stones from a young woman who reportedly drank bubble tea instead of water. Kidney stones are hard deposits made from minerals and salts that form in the kidneys.
Some ingredients in bubble tea, including oxalates and high phosphate levels, can increase the risk of forming kidney stones. However, doctors believe that this extreme case likely involved very heavy consumption of the drink.
Choking hazards are another risk, especially for children. Tapioca pearls are round, slippery, and can easily become stuck in the throat. Pediatricians have warned parents that the pearls can be dangerous for young children who may not chew them properly.
Even adults are not completely safe from this risk. Media reports have described cases in which people inhaled tapioca pearls while drinking through a straw. In one tragic incident in Singapore, a young woman reportedly died after accidentally inhaling several pearls while trying to drink from a partially blocked straw.
High sugar content is another major health concern. Many bubble tea drinks contain large amounts of sugar. A typical serving can contain between 20 and 50 grams of sugar, which is similar to or even higher than the amount in a can of soda.
Consuming large amounts of sugar regularly can increase the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic conditions. Sugary drinks can also harm dental health. Research conducted in Taiwan found that children who drank bubble tea frequently were significantly more likely to develop cavities in their permanent teeth.
Public health experts in places such as California have also suggested that sweet drinks like bubble tea may contribute to rising obesity rates among young people. Many teenagers and young adults may not realize how much sugar is contained in a single cup.
Some studies have even explored possible links between bubble tea consumption and mental health. Research involving children in China found that those who drank bubble tea often showed higher rates of anxiety and depression.
Another study involving nurses in China reported similar patterns, linking frequent bubble tea consumption with fatigue, burnout, and lower overall well‑being. However, these studies only show associations and cannot prove that bubble tea directly causes mental health problems.
Doctors have also noticed an unusual situation involving medical imaging. Tapioca pearls sometimes appear on scans when patients undergo medical tests for unrelated health issues.
Because the pearls are dense and round, they can appear on imaging results and look similar to small stones inside the stomach or intestines. This can sometimes make diagnosis more complicated.
Overall, the available evidence does not suggest that bubble tea must be avoided completely. Fruits, tea, and dairy ingredients can be part of a balanced diet. However, many versions of the drink contain large amounts of sugar and starch, which means frequent consumption may not be ideal for long‑term health.
When researchers examine the findings together, they suggest that bubble tea should probably be treated as an occasional treat rather than an everyday beverage. Drinking it occasionally is unlikely to cause serious problems for most healthy adults. But drinking it very often may increase exposure to sugar, heavy metals, and digestive issues.
Experts also recommend being mindful while drinking bubble tea. Chewing the pearls carefully and avoiding rushing the drink through the wide straw may reduce the risk of choking.
As the popularity of bubble tea continues to grow worldwide, scientists say further research will help better understand its long‑term health effects. In the meantime, moderation appears to be the safest approach.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about why vitamin K is so important for older people, and this snack food may harm your heart rhythm.
For more health information, please see recent studies about vitamin that may protect you from type 2 diabetes, and results showing this common chemical in food may harm your blood pressure.
Copyright © 2026 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
