Don’t ask! Milk tea is drunk in the afternoon, people go crazy at night

Who is the most popular beverage in the beverage industry? Milk tea is definitely the most popular one!

Milk tea is an indispensable drink in the lives of many people. They drink a cup when they are tired from work, when they are in a bad mood, and when they have a gathering with their sisters. While they are worried that drinking too much milk tea is bad for their health, they are also shouting "I want a large cup, standard sugar, and more pearls".

Is milk tea really a combination of "milk + tea"? Why is milk tea addictive? Will drinking too much milk tea cause insomnia? With these questions, let's learn about the "traffic leader" in the beverage industry!

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0 1Is milk tea "milk + tea"?

The history of milk tea can be traced back to the nomadic people of the Mongolian Plateau, and its earliest origin is about a thousand years ago. The original milk tea was relatively simple, brewing tea leaves mixed with milk, and the taste was salty. Over time, milk tea has undergone a long evolution, incorporating elements that are more suitable for the public's taste, especially the taste has gradually become sweeter, so it has become more widely popular.

However, in order to meet the needs of the fast-paced life in modern society, many milk tea brands have begun to add milk tea base, non-dairy creamer, flavors, etc. to provide faster and more convenient production, making the traditional definition of "milk + tea" gradually complicated. Adding these elements that deviate from the traditional production method has also gradually widened the gap between milk tea and healthy drinks.

0 2Why is the temptation of milk tea so irresistible?

Although we know that milk tea is not very good for our health, why do we still find it difficult to resist the temptation of milk tea?

First of all, milk tea contains even more caffeine than coffee . Caffeine is a strong stimulant that can activate the central nervous system, increase alertness and concentration, and bring a sense of excitement, which makes people addicted.

Secondly, in pursuit of a richer taste, the amount of sugar in milk tea has gradually increased . Sugar intake is closely related to the release of dopamine in the brain, and dopamine is a neurotransmitter closely linked to reward and pleasure, which further deepens the obsession with milk tea. In addition, milk tea usually has a strong taste and aroma, which can stimulate the sense of taste and smell and create a sense of pleasure. This sense of pleasure and the human body's reward system will subconsciously tell us to have another "hundred million" cups!

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Drinking milk tea often becomes a social activity, and drinking tea with friends or colleagues has become a social habit. Social activities themselves can trigger a sense of pleasure, making it easier for people to form habits. In addition, buying milk tea has evolved into a habitual consumption, and a fixed milk tea time every day may make this behavior stereotyped, making people dependent on milk tea.

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This series of factors makes milk tea not only an oral enjoyment, but also an emotional experience closely connected with life, thus triggering people's continued love and pursuit of milk tea.

0 3 Is it true that a cup of milk tea can make people sleepless all night?

Let me give you the answer first: there is basically no problem with this statement. Generally speaking, the caffeine content in coffee beans is 1%~2%, and the caffeine content in tea leaves is 2%~4% (up to 5.5%). The specific content still depends on the type of tea and the brewing method. What's more, many milk teas on the market are directly made from concentrated tea powder . The caffeine content in such milk tea can be imagined, which also explains why milk tea causes insomnia.

A set of survey results can also roughly assess the power of milk tea to cause insomnia: In 2017, the Shanghai Consumers Association conducted a random inspection of milk tea, and the test results found that 51 varieties of milk tea from 27 milk tea shops contained a lot of caffeine. Among all samples, the average caffeine content per cup was 270 mg, and the highest was 480 mg, which is basically equivalent to 4 cups of coffee, or 8 cans of Red Bull. You should know that the caffeine content of a cup of American coffee (medium cup) is only 108 mg; the caffeine content of a can of Red Bull is only 50 mg. (Quoted from: People's Science Network Do you lose sleep after drinking it? Is this kind of beverage safe for everyone to drink?)

What should we do if we want to drink milk tea but are afraid of insomnia? In fact, the caffeine content of milk tea made from different teas is also different. Generally speaking, the caffeine content in green tea is relatively low, while the caffeine content in black tea and black tea is higher. The caffeine content of intermediate types of tea such as white tea and oolong tea is between the two. Therefore, we can try to choose milk tea with green tea base to satisfy our taste buds.

0 4 Excessive consumption of milk tea may harm human health "

Although milk tea is delicious, excessive drinking may cause some potential harm to health, including:

1. High sugar intake : Many milk tea drinks contain a lot of sugar. Frequent high sugar intake may lead to weight gain, tooth decay, diabetes and other problems. A high-sugar diet is also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases.

2. High in calories : Since milk teas contain dairy products and sugar, they are usually high in calories, and frequent intake of high-calorie drinks may lead to weight management problems.

3. Caffeine dependence : The tea and caffeine content in milk tea may be high, leading to caffeine dependence. Excessive caffeine intake may cause insomnia, anxiety and other health problems.

4. Bone health issues : The dairy products in some milk teas may contain a lot of sugar and fat, and may not provide enough calcium. This may have a negative impact on bone health.

5. Digestive discomfort : Some milk teas may contain curry, spices, or other ingredients that may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Some people may be allergic or sensitive to these additives.

6. Dental problems : High sugar and acidity may cause tooth decay. The pigments in milk tea may also cause tooth staining.

7. Metabolic problems : A high-sugar diet is associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes.

0 5Since it is harmful to health, should we really say goodbye to milk tea? "

It is okay to enjoy the delicious taste of milk tea in moderation, but the key is to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Some healthy drinking habits include choosing low-sugar or sugar-free versions of milk tea, or adding some fresh fruits or honey to milk tea to enhance the taste and reduce dependence on sugar. It is best to enjoy milk tea in the morning or afternoon of the day, and avoid consuming too much caffeine in the evening or before bed to maintain good sleep quality. When choosing a milk tea brand, pay attention to the product label, understand the ingredients and nutritional information, avoid choosing milk tea with too many additives, and better choose a reputable brand.

In general, milk tea does not have to be avoided, but maintaining the right amount and paying attention to a balanced diet will help maintain good health. While enjoying milk tea, we can also take better care of our bodies through scientific and reasonable eating habits.

References:

[1] Fu Rongrong, Wang Xifan. Is milk tea addictive? We need to distinguish between liking, habit and addiction [J]. Food Industry, 2023, (12): 30-32.

[2] Wang Yuwen. Analysis and discussion on sugar content of freshly made milk tea[J]. Food Industry, 2023, 44(10): 101-104.

[3] Wang Kai. The main factors affecting consumers’ purchase of milk tea drinks[J]. Time-honored Brand Marketing, 2023, (14): 42-44.

[4] Zhang Wei, Ma Xiao, Cheng Hao, et al. Research progress on high-sugar diet and inflammatory diseases[J]. Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Edition), 2022, 53(03): 538-542.

[5] Adila Saimaiti, Xiong Ruogu, Huang Siyu, et al. Caffeine and health[J]. Science, 2023, 75(06): 44-46+4.

Author: Xiaojuan is not a volume

Master of Food Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology