Overly sweet tea: why your favorite drink can be a health hazard

Overly sweet tea: why your favorite drink can be a health hazard

Sweet tea is a drink that has long been part of many people's daily lives. It is often consumed as a refreshing drink in hot weather or as an addition to dessert. However, nutritionists warn: regular consumption of tea with a lot of sugar can have serious health consequences.

Experts indicate that excessive sugar consumption is associated with an increased risk of developing insulin resistance - a condition in which the body's cells lose their sensitivity to insulin. This, in turn, significantly increases the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes - a disease that is becoming a global epidemic.

Studies show that even one drink with a high sugar content per day can gradually change the metabolic processes in the body. Sweet tea, especially bottled or ready-to-drink tea, often contains 30–40 grams of sugar per serving, which is almost equal to the daily norm recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Nutritionists emphasize that the danger lies not only in the amount of sugar, but also in habit. People often underestimate the calorie content of drinks, forgetting that the body perceives liquid calories differently than solid food. This can lead to overeating and weight gain, which is an additional risk factor for the development of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity.

In addition, excessive consumption of sweet tea negatively affects teeth, increasing the risk of cavities and other dental problems, especially if the tea is consumed regularly throughout the day.

Experts advise limiting the consumption of sweet drinks or replacing sugar with natural sweeteners, such as stevia or erythritol. The best choice, according to nutritionists, remains plain unsweetened tea — green, black, or herbal — which has health benefits and does not contain added sugar.