The most commonly used boba size is 2.2mm in diameter. With this in mind, doctors say that if a few pearls get slurped up together using a straw, this could easily lead to blockage of the upper airway. This usually leads to death by suffocation within minutes.
Medical experts have warned that it is easy to choke on pearls, given their slippery texture. The lack of oxygen caused by a pearl being lodged in the windpipe can also cause an attack, which makes it fatal for asthmatic people.
Does the consumption of Bubble Tea pose a health risk? When drinking Bubble Tea, starch balls can accidentally get into the lungs. When foreign bodies enter the lungs, this is called “aspiration”. Aspiration poses a hazard for children up to the age of four in particular.
Doctors Say Large Amounts Of Tapioca Starch Can Be Hard To Digest. SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Can you have too much boba? For one 14-year-old in China, the answer is yes. She had to be hospitalized after more than 100 tapioca balls were found stuck in her stomach.
Boba is made from tapioca. Due to the tapioca ingredient, it means the "pearls" or "bubbles" don't dissolve quickly when expanded to their fullest. Hence, if you eat them without chewing, it can be hazardous.
You should always chew your boba pearls when drinking your bubble tea. Chewing your boba pearls is the best way to help your body digest them and unlock the delicious flavors of the boba pearls. Swallowing too many boba pearls whole may cause an upset stomach.
First of all, if you fail to chew your food properly in general, your digestive system will not be able to break this down, possibly leading to bloating, stomachaches and ultimately slowing down the overall digestive process. Also, not being funny, you could end up possibly choking on these balls.
"One to two cups a day should be fine, but you shouldn't consume anything in excess," advised Dr. Kushnir. "If you're drinking five or six cups a day, and you're noticing a change in your bowels, it could be a sign that you need to cut back or drink more water."
Additionally, health.com reported that the pearls can cause constipation because they are difficult to digest, caused by an added fiber called guar gum. Boba can also have a severe impact on blood pressure. According to thelist.com, consuming too much boba can potentially lead to an imbalance in blood pressure.
As EBC Dongsen News reports, the director of Zhuji People's Hospital's emergency department said that boba, being made of tapioca starch, are already difficult to digest, but some makers also use thickeners and preservatives, the significant consumption of which may lead to gastrointestinal problems.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, no amount of caffeine is proven safe for kids 12 and under.
The tapioca pearls in bubble tea, also known as bubbles or boba, have a jelly-like texture and are made with tapioca starch, making it completely safe for human consumption.
Bubble tea balls are easily digestible for most people
Since tapioca comes from the starch-based cassava root, it's mainly filled with carbohydrates, according to Healthline. Starches like cassava function similarly to fiber in the body, and healthy people can digest them with no problems, Dr. de Latour said.
Boba pearls are made of tapioca starch that comes from the cassava root, so compassionate customers can rest easy knowing that gelatin is not used in the making of these tiny balls of deliciousness.
However, boba is also high in sugar and calories, which can lead to weight gain if consumed in excess. Boba should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. While boba itself may not make you fat, consuming too many boba drinks can contribute to weight gain over time.
But if you love drinking bubble tea, you are actually addicted to its sugar. Did you know? Sugar is as addictive as cocaine! However, it is widely used as a 'legal drug' worldwide, as it causes addiction in the brain.
With various home-made or imported ingredients, food poisoning may happen if bubble tea is made in dirty conditions, he said.
No, you are not supposed to eat the pearls in boba. These pearls, also known as “boba” or “bubble” pearls, are made of tapioca starch and normally come in a variety of flavors or sizes. They are usually cooked until they are chewy and then added to the boba drink.
There's probably been a time when you swallowed some food or drink and it felt like it went down the wrong pipe. That's when a bit of food or liquid may have headed toward your lungs rather than your stomach. Most of the time when this happens, you'll cough, and the food or liquid will clear out of your airway.
After any major choking episode, a child needs to go to the ER. Get emergency medical care for a child if: The child has a lasting cough, drooling, gagging, wheezing, trouble swallowing, or trouble breathing. The child turned blue, became limp, or was unconscious during the episode, even if he or she seemed to recover.
You can't go wrong with a honeydew milk tea, taro milk green tea, chai tea, jasmine milk tea or matcha milk green tea. One thing to note, some boba shops have customizable menus that include soy, almond or whole milk. Otherwise, many boba shops carry a non-dairy creamer.