What! 1 Cup of Milk Tea Contains More Caffeine Than 3 Cups of Americano?!

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Milk Tea Contains More Caffeine Than 3 Cups of Americano

Today, the topic "#1 cup of milk tea contains more caffeine than 3 cups of Americano#" trended on Weibo's hot search list. Yes, it's not just coffee that contains caffeine—milk tea also contains substantial amounts of caffeine, as do many other beverages, such as some energy drinks and tea beverages.

Under normal circumstances, the amount of caffeine in a cup of milk tea is surprisingly equivalent to approximately 3.5 cups of Americano coffee. Many people have experienced difficulty falling asleep after drinking milk tea, with caffeine being the likely culprit.

The Effects of Caffeine on Health

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that can temporarily help us drive away drowsiness and has the effect of refreshing the mind. However, for sensitive individuals, caffeine intake can lead to symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, and irritability. Excessive intake can promote calcium loss, increasing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis. Long-term, large-scale caffeine consumption can also affect cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health.

Previously, the Shanghai Consumer Rights Protection Commission conducted tests on dozens of local milk tea brands. The average caffeine content in one cup of milk tea reached 270mg, with the highest content being 428mg, which already exceeds the daily caffeine intake recommendation of 400mg from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the European Food Safety Authority.

The Shanghai Consumer Rights Protection Commission also specifically reminded consumers that the caffeine content in tea leaves ranges from 2% to 4%, which is higher than the caffeine content in coffee beans. Due to the influence of raw material types and preparation methods in modern milk tea, the sugar content is also very high. Special populations such as children, pregnant women, and patients with hypertension or heart disease should especially avoid excessive consumption.

Diverse Sources of Caffeine in Daily Life

Thus, our daily caffeine intake doesn't necessarily come from coffee—it could also come from milk tea or other beverages on the market, such as Red Bull, cola, lemon tea, etc. These drinks all contain a certain amount of caffeine, and normally, the caffeine content in a single bottle won't exceed recommended limits. However, if you regularly drink two to three cans of such beverages per day, you may experience insomnia and other problems due to excessive intake. Therefore, when choosing beverages, remember to pay attention to their caffeine content to avoid excessive consumption.

The Hidden Dangers of Milk Tea Additives

Moreover, modern tea beverages now feature an increasing variety of toppings such as pearls, boba, taro balls, taro paste, sago, grass jelly, and coconut jelly. The selection of these toppings can be overwhelming, and they have long become a beloved part of the milk tea experience. However, the sugar content in these additives is immeasurable, and consuming large amounts of sugar and trans fats can lead to health risks such as obesity.

CCTV once reported a survey on the health index of milk tea. The investigation found that mainstream tea beverage brands on the market contain an average of 13 cubes of sugar per cup of milk tea, with caffeine equivalent to 3/4 cup of Americano coffee. The sugar and caffeine content already far exceed expected limits.

The Evolution Toward Healthier Tea Beverages

As young people pursue higher health and quality standards, modern tea beverage brands have begun to place great emphasis on ingredient selection. The consumption era of "fresh milk, fresh tea, fresh fruit" has become the standard for the modern tea beverage industry. At the same time, there is greater focus on beverage health, with a tendency to choose low-sugar, low-fat products. Concepts such as zero sucrose, plant-based, and additive-free have brought more inspiration to new tea beverage companies for developing new products.

However, no matter how it changes, milk tea still离不开 tea leaves, so consumers who are highly sensitive to caffeine still need to be very careful. When purchasing milk tea, it's recommended to avoid varieties with strong tea flavor or choose smaller portions. The selection of toppings must also be controlled, controlled, and controlled again.

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