Why does drinking milk tea and sugary drinks cause uncontrolled weight gain?

Milk tea and sugary drinks contain high calories, leading to excess calories, accumulating as excess fat and increasing the risk of other diseases.

Gained more than 10 kg after 2 weeks of continuously drinking milk tea and soft drinks

As reported by Thanh Nien , the Central Endocrinology Hospital recently admitted a male patient named TTĐ (28 years old, Hanoi ) weighing 175 kg to the hospital with difficulty breathing, heart failure and swelling in both legs leading to the inability to move. The patient was supported by a ventilator and received special care at the Intensive Care Unit. Patient D. was diagnosed with obesity and chronic gout 10 years ago. In the 2 weeks before being admitted to the hospital, the patient gained weight uncontrollably by more than 10 kg due to consuming a lot of sweet drinks such as milk tea and soft drinks.

Through clinical examination and test results, patient D. was diagnosed with sleep apnea syndrome. This syndrome is common in patients with a history of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders such as obesity, gout, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke... In overweight and obese people, the amount of fat is distributed around the upper respiratory tract, leading to narrowing of the airway. This contributes to increased airway compression during sleep.

Milk tea is a drink containing a lot of simple sugars.

PHOTO: LE CAM

High calories in milk tea and sugary drinks cause fat accumulation

Nutritionist Le Thao Nguyen, Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital, said that milk tea and sugary drinks are favorite drinks of many people, especially young people. However, regular and uncontrolled consumption of these drinks can lead to unwanted weight gain and affect long-term health.

Milk tea is a drink that contains a lot of simple sugars, has little nutritional value but is high in calories. On average, a 500 ml cup of milk tea contains 300-500 calories, equivalent to a full meal but does not provide enough essential nutrients for the body such as protein, fiber or vitamins. They are mainly empty calories that the body cannot use effectively.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the recommended daily intake of sugar should not exceed 24g for women and 36g for men. However, a cup of bubble tea may contain an amount of sugar exceeding this limit.

"When you consume too many sugary drinks instead of nutritious meals, it means you are providing a huge amount of calories to your body without knowing it, leading to excess calories and accumulation of excess fat, thereby causing weight gain," said Dr. Nguyen.

Sugary drinks increase appetite

Studies have also shown that consuming sugary drinks causes a sudden spike in blood sugar levels and then a rapid drop, leading to feelings of hunger and cravings soon after consumption. This makes it easier for us to consume more food, increasing our total calorie intake for the day.

Studies also show that consuming drinks containing a lot of sugar causes a sudden increase in blood sugar levels.

Illustration: AI

Increased risk of other diseases

In addition to causing weight gain, consuming too much sugar can also increase the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, gout flare-ups, increased risk of cardiovascular disease and dental problems. Especially for people at risk of obesity or diabetes, consuming sugary drinks not only causes weight gain but also makes the disease worse.

"Consumption of milk tea and sugary drinks should be limited, especially for those at risk of overweight, diabetes or cardiovascular diseases. A healthy, nutritious diet, combined with minimizing sugary drinks will help you maintain a stable weight and protect your long-term health. To replace milk tea and sugary drinks, you can choose drinks such as fresh fruit juice, green tea, unsweetened herbal tea or filtered water to provide enough water for the body without worrying about gaining weight," Dr. Thao Nguyen recommends.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vi-sao-uong-tra-sua-va-do-uong-nhieu-duong-gay-tang-can-khong-kiem-soat-185250405165014698.htm