Watch Out for These Popular Tea Drinks
Bottled teas and tea drinks may not be as good for you as regular tea
Tea is often considered a healthier beverage, but some of the most popular ones can be just as sugary as soda or come with health claims that are too good to be true. Here are some of the options to watch out for, and smart choices to consider instead.
Bottled Iced Tea. An 18.5-ounce bottle of sweet tea from Pure Leaf has 42 grams of added sugars, or 10.5 teaspoons, and 160 calories (about the amount in a 12-ounce can of Coke). Bottled green teas may not be any better. For example, Arizona Green Tea with Ginseng and Honey has 34 grams of added sugars, or 8.5 teaspoons, and 130 calories in 16.9 ounces. It’s not easy to find a bottled iced tea low in added sugars, so you’re probably better off with unsweetened. And don’t count on bottled tea to deliver a lot of antioxidants. Some research suggests it has fewer polyphenols than freshly brewed tea.
Bubble Tea. Also called boba tea, this drink contains small balls of tapioca, which are sweet and chewy. It usually has a lot of added sugars, too. For example, a 17-ounce bottle can have as much as 39 grams. Pro tip: If you order bubble tea at a local shop, ask for it with half the sugar or none at all.
Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the November/December 2024 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
