Milk tea, a popular daily beverage in India, is often seen as harmless, but its frequent consumption may carry potential health risks, particularly in relation to digestive health and cancer. While milk tea itself is not directly linked to cancer, certain factors associated with its regular consumption, such as lactose intolerance, high sugar content, caffeine, and additives, could indirectly increase the risk of digestive issues and certain cancers.
Lactose Intolerance and Digestive Stress
A significant number of adults suffer from lactose intolerance, a condition that becomes apparent in early childhood due to decreased lactase enzyme production. For those with lactose intolerance, drinking milk tea can cause digestive distress like bloating, diarrhea, and gas. Chronic digestive irritation may contribute to conditions like GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and peptic ulcers, both of which are linked to an increased risk of stomach and esophageal cancer.
Sugar and Its Cancer-Related Risks
Milk tea’s high sugar content is another major concern. Excessive sugar consumption can disrupt the gut microbiome, promoting harmful bacteria and chronic inflammation, which is a known risk factor for cancers such as colorectal, liver, and breast cancer. Additionally, sugar fermentation in the gut may produce harmful byproducts like advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are linked to cancer development.
Caffeine’s Role in Digestive Health
While caffeine in milk tea can aid digestion in moderation, excessive caffeine intake can lead to overstimulation of the digestive system, causing issues like acid reflux, heartburn, and gastrointestinal discomfort. If left untreated, chronic acid reflux may result in Barrett’s esophagus, which can increase the risk of esophageal cancer.
Spices and Additives in Milk Tea
Common spices in milk tea, such as ginger, saffron, and cardamom, can be beneficial in small amounts due to their antioxidant properties. However, in excess, these spices can irritate the stomach lining, contributing to chronic inflammation and increasing the risk of conditions like ulcers and acid reflux, which may raise the likelihood of digestive cancers.
Peptic Ulcers and Long-Term Risks
Drinking milk tea on an empty stomach can exacerbate acid reflux, leading to peptic ulcers. If these ulcers go untreated, they may eventually contribute to stomach cancer. Though milk tea itself is not carcinogenic, the prolonged digestive irritation it causes can increase the risk of developing cancer over time.
Though no direct scientific evidence links milk tea to cancer, overconsumption—particularly with high sugar, milk, and caffeine—may stress the digestive system and raise the risk of digestive cancers over time. Moderation is key: limiting milk tea intake to two cups a day with minimal sugar and not on an empty stomach can help reduce the potential long-term risks to gut health.
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