Loaded Teas: Are They Safe to Drink?

What do you get when combining colorful drinks and tropical flavors with buzzworthy names such as Purple Rain, Melon Bomb or Pink Flamingo? A trendy drink craze known as loaded teas that have taken over social media during the past few years. 

Not only do these drinks catch the eye, they also contain loads of caffeine and carry other purported health benefits. But are they worth the hype and even safe to drink? 

What is a loaded tea?

A loaded tea is an energy-style drink that combines caffeine, tea, herbal stimulants, supplement powders and multivitamins with sweeteners and artificial flavorings. The liquid is then served over ice in a clear, plastic cup to showcase the colorful hues. 

The term loaded tea is, in some ways, solely for marketing purposes. Some of these drinks don’t even contain any tea and resemble an energy drink more than anything.  

Since a cup of tea has antioxidant, antiviral and antiinflammatory properties, consumers associate the word tea with health – even if the remaining ingredients are artificial and lack any real benefits. Whereas traditional tea is made by steeping tea leaves in water, the loaded teas that do feature tea usually come from powdered green or black tea. 

Plus, stores that sell loaded teas, as well as influencers on social media, claim these drinks can suppress your appetite, boost metabolism, increase energy and help with athletic performances. The health benefits can be difficult to prove, though. 

So how did this craze start? A combination of a need for energy and a focus on healthier alternatives helped create a market for these loaded teas, which initially gained traction in nutrition clubs in rural U.S. towns. However, the $7 to $8 price point per drink led fans of loaded teas to create their own concoctions and post them on social media. The DIY versions have a similar taste for a fraction of the price. 

What’s in loaded teas?

Loaded tea is more of an umbrella term to describe any type of colorful drink with herbal supplements and caffeine. Therefore, there isn’t a standard recipe used to create these drinks. 

At a high level, loaded teas are a combination of water, stimulants, supplement powders and a sugar-free flavor booster.  

On social media, you’ll often find the hashtag #CleanEnergy associated with loaded teas. But a closer look at the ingredients unveils additives and artificial ingredients. 

Here is an overview of the ingredients they may contain: 

• Stimulants (ginseng, guarana and caffeine) 
• Supplements (vitamins, minerals) 
• Plant extracts 
• Artificial sweeteners (sucralose, aspartame, acesulfame potassium) 
• Artificial colors (red 40, blue 1, yellow 5) 
• Sugar alcohols 
• Sugar-free syrups 
• Fruit juices 
• Corn syrup solids 
• Aloe vera juice 
• Maltodextrin (starch-based thickener) 

The allure of many loaded teas is that they’re marketed as featuring zero sugar or zero-calorie sweeteners due to the inclusion of sucralose, aspartame, acesulfame potassium or a combination of all three. 

While versions made at home give full control to the ingredients that go into your drink, many recipes still contain artificial ingredients as the bulk of the drink. For example, one recipe calls for Starbursts drink mix, Crush pineapple drink mix and cherry limeade drink mix. These laboratory-made packet drink mixes are full of aspartame, artificial flavors, maltodextrin, acesulfame potassium and magnesium oxide. 

Loaded tea nutrition  

The nutritional information varies by product and recipe. In general, though, the drinks contain anywhere from 15 to 60 calories and often boast zero grams of sugar from the addition of artificial sweeteners.  

Caffeine levels will vary, but they usually have 160 mg per serving, which amounts to two cups of coffee (80 mg per cup) or about four cups of green tea (40 mg per cup). Some recipes boast upwards of 285 mg of caffeine, or more than three cups of coffee. The FDA recommends adults consume no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day. 

The bottom line

Since so many loaded teas don’t even contain tea, this product is effectively a glorified energy drink with high levels of caffeine. Consuming too much caffeine is tied to health problems ranging from increased heart rate and blood pressure to headaches and digestive issues. It can also contribute to mental health problems such as anxiety. 

Ultimately, you should proceed with caution if you decide to consume loaded teas. An occasional drink won’t hurt you, but buying or making one every day can create issues with your body – especially for those sensitive to caffeine.  

You should also consider the ingredients found in loaded teas. For example, artificial sweeteners can actually be more addicting than sugar. 

Additionally, a combination of easy access and social media have turned teens and college students into loaded tea drinkers. Some loaded tea businesses have even set up shop on campuses to cater to students in need of an energy boost. 

However, an article published from the U.S. Pharmacist, a monthly magazine for pharmacists, examined the dangers of loaded teas in children and adolescents. Adolescents should only have 100 mg per day, and drinking high amounts of caffeine can cause heart problems (reduced heart rate, increased blood pressure, increased arterial stiffness, arrhythmia and reduced blood flow), GI issues (upset stomach, abdominal cramping, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration) and behavioral problems (anxiety, irritability, engaging in risky behavior and more likely to use nicotine and alcohol). 

Despite claims of health benefits, the reality is that loaded teas contain supplements that aren’t regulated by the FDA, meaning the products aren’t third-party tested to support the claims. 

Should you decide to drink loaded teas, check the ingredient list and be sure the company uses natural ingredients. Some companies are vague and don’t publicize what goes into their drinks. 

Also, have water on hand any time you consume beverages high in caffeine. High levels of caffeine can act as a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production and causes you to use the bathroom more frequently. Drinking water can help replenish any fluids lost when consuming loaded teas. 

For more health and wellness content, visit the INTEGRIS Health For You blog.