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The difference between eating sugar and drinking sugar

Submitted by yiguo2000 on

The key difference between eating sugar and drinking sugar lies in the speed and total amount of sugar intake:

  1. Sugar is absorbed faster when drinking
    Liquid sugars like bubble tea, soda, fruit juice, etc., are absorbed almost without digestion, causing blood sugar to spike rapidly, leading to drastic insulin fluctuations and a heavy burden on the pancreas.

  2. Sugar content is often higher than eating sugar
    The sugar content of a full-sugar bubble tea is often over 50 grams (approximately 10-12 teaspoons of sugar), much more than eating a few candies at once. Because sugar dissolves in water, it doesn't taste as sweet while drinking, making it easier to consume excessive amounts.

  3. Lacks satiety
    Solid sweets (cakes, cookies) provide a certain level of satiety, but liquid sugars almost do not increase the feeling of fullness, making it easier for individuals to consume extra calories, leading to increased risks of obesity and metabolic diseases in the long term.

  4. Blood sugar fluctuations and addiction cycle
    Rapidly rising and falling blood sugar stimulates the brain's reward system, making individuals crave for the next drink, creating a cycle of "the more you drink, the more you want to drink."

If you want to reduce these risks, you can try a few methods:

  • Opt for sugar-free or half-sugar options (many teas, when brewed well, are more fragrant without sugar)

  • Choose hot tea or cold-brewed tea as alternatives

  • Less ice or no ice (adding ice cubes may lead to vendors adding more sugary syrup, increasing the sugar content)

  • Drink occasionally, not as a daily source of hydration

I can create a comparison table of sugar content in bubble tea for you, so you can easily see how much sugar is in your cup, which will be more intuitive.

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