Study: Milk tea may be addictive

Tea with milk, bubble tea or bubble tea has become phenomenally popular in China and other countries in recent years. New study has revealed some troubling links between the sugary drink and mental health problems.

Researchers from Tsinghua University and the Central University of Finance and Economics in China surveyed 5,281 college students in Beijing. and found that the symptoms of milk tea addiction are not only real, but also associated with problems such as depression and anxiety.

In their study, the researchers used a well-established addiction scale that takes into account factors such as persistent cravings and abuse. The team found evidence that some young people were showing signs of addiction, with almost half of those surveyed saying they drank at least one cup of milk tea a week.

In addition to added sugar, milk teas often contain caffeine, and concerns have been raised that such drinks can lead to low mood and social isolation in adolescents, as well as resulting loneliness and depression.

According to the results of the study, scientists assumedthat youth can use milk tea as a coping mechanism and a way to regulate emotions – and that these drinks can be as addictive and harmful as social media or even drugs.

This scientific work is intended to launch a more in-depth study of the effect of such drinks on people’s psychological health. The plan is now to continue the study with larger samples and track milk tea consumption over longer periods of time.