Who would have thought that the popular drink “bubble milk tea” that we casually sip while walking around the mall or enjoy drinking during work hides a silent danger? It’s not just the chewy tapioca pearls, but also various toppings like whipped cream cheese that people say “enhance the pleasure.” But did you know that frequently drinking bubble milk tea can easily become a cause of a serious disease like “fatty liver” if you’re not careful?
What should you be cautious about in bubble milk tea?
Common bubble milk tea consists mainly of a large amount of sugar and creamer, which contains trans fats, as well as toppings like tapioca pearls made from cassava starch. Just bubble milk tea alone is not enough; some people add whipped cream cheese for extra enjoyment. In reality, whipped cream cheese adds a lot of fat and sugar to the drink, causing the calories to skyrocket. Drinking it frequently without thinking can cause your belly to start growing without you realizing it because all of these provide high energy and usually come with a lot of sugar. When sugar and fat are consumed in excessive amounts, the body converts them into fat stored in the liver, leading to fatty liver disease, which is one of the causes of hepatitis and cirrhosis.
What else causes fatty liver?
- Sugar Sugar from drinks and sweets you consume, such as bubble milk tea, iced coffee, and delicious cakes. The body converts excess energy into fat, which is stored in the liver.
- Trans fats The dangerous deliciousness. Creamer, crispy baked goods, and fried foods all contain harmful trans fats that accumulate easily and cause fat to infiltrate liver cells quickly without warning.
- Alcohol Another major factor that weakens your liver, causes fat accumulation, and increases the risk of liver inflammation.
- Overweight For those who are overweight or obese, the body tends to store more fat, not just under the skin but also in vital organs like the liver, increasing the risk of fatty liver disease.
- Inactive lifestyle Not exercising and sitting still at your desk all day prevents your body from burning excess energy. When energy is abundant, it accumulates as fat in the liver.
What should you do to avoid fatty liver from bubble milk tea?
- Reduce sugar intake Choose to order bubble milk tea with less sugar or no sugar at all if you enjoy the natural brewed tea flavor.
- Choose better topping alternatives If you like the chewy texture, consider switching to toppings with fewer calories, such as konjac or aloe vera.
- Avoid creamer Choose to drink tea without creamer or high-calorie toppings.
- Control your drinking frequency Drink bubble milk tea occasionally, not every day. Try switching to water or healthier drinks instead.
If you love sweet drinks like bubble milk tea or have a habit of consuming high-sugar and high-fat foods daily, your liver may be accumulating too much fat without you realizing it. Fatty liver is a silent threat that can lead to serious diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis if not detected and treated early.
The Gastroenterology and Liver Department at Phyathai Nawamin Hospital is ready to serve you with a team of specialized doctors and multidisciplinary professionals who provide consultations along with liver health technology Fibro Scan, which can accurately and painlessly assess the level of fat in the liver. This test is suitable for those who want to evaluate the risk of fatty liver and maintain long-term liver health. In addition to Fibro Scan, we also offer comprehensive gastrointestinal and other system health checks to help you be confident in your health. Take care of your liver starting today. Don’t wait for serious diseases to come. The sooner you start taking care of your liver, the greater your chances of disease prevention.
