Bubble tea or boba has become a real trend in recent years; A drink containing chewy tapioca balls has taken over social networks and cafes around the world. However, recent research makes us wonder how safe it is for health.
Consumer Reports experts tested popular brands and found that every serving of the drinks they tested contained lead, according to the New York Post. The analysis concerned beverages sourced from chains as well as ready-made preparation kits. Fortunately, the level of metal content did not exceed the permissible standards, but the fact of its presence made experts cautious.
James Rogers, CR’s head of product safety research, said the results were not critical enough to warrant abandoning the drink altogether, but did provide a reason to limit consumption. “Three out of four samples contained more than 50 percent of our lead level. This is a good reason to perceive boba as a rare treat, and not as a daily habit,” the expert said.
The reason why lead gets into the drink lies in the raw material itself – cassava root, from which tapioca pearls are made. This plant absorbs heavy metals from soil that often already has natural contamination. As experts explain, constant consumption of foods containing low doses of lead can negatively affect health over time.
By the way, we have previously written about how Dubai chocolate drives millions of people crazy. Read more here.
Source: People Talk
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
