A 20-year-old woman, identified as Xiao Yu, underwent surgery in Taiwan to remove over 300 kidney stones after years of hydrating herself exclusively with sweetened drinks. She was admitted to Chi Mei Hospital in Tainan due to a fever and severe lower back pain.

An ultrasound and CT scan revealed that Xiao Yu's right kidney was swollen with fluid and contained&nbsp;stones ranging from 5mm to 2cm in size, resembling "little steamed buns." The stones had accumulated due to chronic dehydration and mineral build-up in her kidneys.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sippin-blues-study-suggests-your-go-to-milk-tea-could-be-the-cause-of-your-depression-641942">Also read | Sippin' blues: Study suggests your go-to milk tea could be the cause of your depression</a>

<h2>Unusual hydration habits</h2>

Xiao Yu disclosed to doctors that she avoided drinking water and, instead, relied on beverages like bubble tea, fruit juice, and alcohol for hydration over an extended period, as reported by The Indepedent.&nbsp;This unusual habit resulted in insufficient water intake, leading to the formation of kidney stones.

Doctors performed a 2-hour-long percutaneous nephrolithotomy surgery, successfully extracting around 300 stones from Xiao Yu's kidney. Following the procedure, her condition stabilised, and she was discharged a few days later.

Also watch |&nbsp;Viral Video: Dutch PM Mark Rutte spills coffee, mops the floor himself

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/viral-video-dutch-pm-mark-rutte-spills-coffee-mops-the-floor-himself-142495/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Dr&nbsp;Lim Chye-yang, the surgeon who conducted the surgery, told Metro news&nbsp;that kidney stones can result from factors such as inadequate water intake or diets high in calcium and protein. He stressed on&nbsp;the importance of proper water intake for diluting minerals in urine, preventing concentrated minerals that elevate the risk of stone formation.

He also noted that, on average, men are three times more likely to develop kidney stones. In Taiwan, men are thrice as likely as women to experience kidney stones, with 9.6 per cent of the Taiwanese population developing kidney stones in their lifetime.

(With inputs from agencies)

A 20-year-old woman, identified as Xiao Yu, underwent surgery in Taiwan to remove over 300 kidney stones after years of hydrating herself exclusively with sweetened drinks.

A 20-year-old woman, identified as Xiao Yu, underwent surgery in Taiwan to remove over 300 kidney stones after years of hydrating herself exclusively with sweetened drinks. She was admitted to Chi Mei Hospital in Tainan due to a fever and severe lower back pain. An ultrasound and CT scan revealed that Xiao Yu's right kidney was swollen with fluid and contained stones ranging from 5mm to 2cm in size, resembling "little steamed buns." The stones had accumulated due to chronic dehydration and mineral build-up in her kidneys. Also read | Sippin' blues: Study suggests your go-to milk tea could be the cause of your depression Unusual hydration habits Xiao Yu disclosed to doctors that she avoided drinking water and, instead, relied on beverages like bubble tea, fruit juice, and alcohol for hydration over an extended period, as reported by The Indepedent. This unusual habit resulted in insufficient water intake, leading to the formation of kidney stones. Doctors performed a 2-hour-long percutaneous nephrolithotomy surgery, successfully extracting around 300 stones from Xiao Yu's kidney. Following the procedure, her condition stabilised, and she was discharged a few days later. Also watch | Viral Video: Dutch PM Mark Rutte spills coffee, mops the floor himself Dr Lim Chye-yang, the surgeon who conducted the surgery, told Metro news that kidney stones can result from factors such as inadequate water intake or diets high in calcium and protein. He stressed on the importance of proper water intake for diluting minerals in urine, preventing concentrated minerals that elevate the risk of stone formation. He also noted that, on average, men are three times more likely to develop kidney stones. In Taiwan, men are thrice as likely as women to experience kidney stones, with 9.6 per cent of the Taiwanese population developing kidney stones in their lifetime. (With inputs from agencies)

Woman in Taiwan replaces drinking water with sweetened drinks, ends up with 300 kidney stones

Milk teas, which include&nbsp;bubble tea and the much-loved&nbsp;Indian masala (spiced) tea, have taken the beverage scene in China and other Asian regions by storm in recent years. However, a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032723010820">recent study</a> has shed light on a concerning connection between milk tea consumption and mental health issues.&nbsp;The&nbsp;findings were startling: milk tea consumption appeared to give rise to addiction and was significantly linked to depression, anxiety, and even thoughts of suicide.

Conducted by scholars from Tsinghua University and the Central University of Finance and Economics in China, this study delved into the lives of 5,281 college students in Beijing. The researchers aimed to uncover whether symptoms of milk tea addiction were real and if they correlated with conditions like depression and anxiety.&nbsp;

The researchers acknowledged the unprecedented surge in milk tea popularity among Chinese youth, setting the stage for their research.&nbsp;

<h2>What's the connection?</h2>

By using an established addiction scale that assesses criteria like persistent cravings and excessive consumption, the research laid out&nbsp;that some young individuals displayed clear signs of milk tea addiction.

Nearly half of the participants admitted to consuming at least one cup of milk tea weekly.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/drinking-tea-coffee-from-paper-cups-can-increase-chances-of-cancer-indian-research-344278">Drinking tea, coffee from paper cups can increase chances of cancer: Indian research</a>

<h2>The loneliness and depression connection</h2>

Beyond the extra sugar content, milk teas often contain caffeine, prompting concerns about their potential to contribute to low moods and social isolation among adolescents.

This study gave rise to a concerning connection between milk tea consumption and loneliness and depression. While causes are not&nbsp;determined, it certainly warrants further exploration, especially given the growing popularity of these beverages.

Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas | Study: Styles of coffee can predict your personality

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-study-styles-of-coffee-can-predict-your-personality-635033/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>Milk tea as a coping mechanism</h2>

The researchers speculate that young people in China and elsewhere might be turning to milk tea as a means of coping with emotions and regulating their mental states.

In this context, these beverages could be&nbsp;addictive and detrimental.

The study's results suggest that milk tea consumption can manifest addiction symptoms, encompassing frequency, dependence, intention to quit, inability to quit, and guilt. Consequently, the research team calls for measures to be implemented to mitigate both physical and mental health risks associated with milk tea, from obesity and dental decay to addiction and depression.

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

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Milk teas, which include bubble tea and the much-loved Indian masala (spiced) tea, have taken the beverage scene in China and other Asian regions by storm in recent years.

Milk teas, which include bubble tea and the much-loved Indian masala (spiced) tea, have taken the beverage scene in China and other Asian regions by storm in recent years. However, a recent study has shed light on a concerning connection between milk tea consumption and mental health issues. The findings were startling: milk tea consumption appeared to give rise to addiction and was significantly linked to depression, anxiety, and even thoughts of suicide. Conducted by scholars from Tsinghua University and the Central University of Finance and Economics in China, this study delved into the lives of 5,281 college students in Beijing. The researchers aimed to uncover whether symptoms of milk tea addiction were real and if they correlated with conditions like depression and anxiety. The researchers acknowledged the unprecedented surge in milk tea popularity among Chinese youth, setting the stage for their research. What's the connection? By using an established addiction scale that assesses criteria like persistent cravings and excessive consumption, the research laid out that some young individuals displayed clear signs of milk tea addiction. Nearly half of the participants admitted to consuming at least one cup of milk tea weekly. Also read | Drinking tea, coffee from paper cups can increase chances of cancer: Indian research The loneliness and depression connection Beyond the extra sugar content, milk teas often contain caffeine, prompting concerns about their potential to contribute to low moods and social isolation among adolescents. This study gave rise to a concerning connection between milk tea consumption and loneliness and depression. While causes are not determined, it certainly warrants further exploration, especially given the growing popularity of these beverages. Also watch | Gravitas | Study: Styles of coffee can predict your personality Milk tea as a coping mechanism The researchers speculate that young people in China and elsewhere might be turning to milk tea as a means of coping with emotions and regulating their mental states. In this context, these beverages could be addictive and detrimental. The study's results suggest that milk tea consumption can manifest addiction symptoms, encompassing frequency, dependence, intention to quit, inability to quit, and guilt. Consequently, the research team calls for measures to be implemented to mitigate both physical and mental health risks associated with milk tea, from obesity and dental decay to addiction and depression. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Sippin' blues: Study suggests your go-to milk tea could be the cause of your depression

Cheap instant &quot;bubble tea&quot; has become one of Taiwan&#39;s best-known culinary exports and a new wave of entrepreneurs hopes a high-end modern take on traditional brews will also be sipped worldwide. 
 
Taiwan has been producing tea for more than 200 years and a cup of the island&#39;s famous oolong is obligatory for many visitors, but exports have been knocked by rising labour costs and bubble tea has eclipsed a carefully crafted cuppa. 
 
Often artificially flavoured and loaded with milk, sugar and tapioca pearls, bubble tea has in recent years gained a global following, from Southeast Asia to the United States and Europe.&nbsp;Ultra-modern tea shop &quot;Xie Xie&quot; is one business trying to turn the tide back to sophistication. 
 
Founder Xie Yu-tung, 30, comes from a family of tea producers and uses leaves grown on their plantations in Taiwan&#39;s mountainous Dayuling and Lishan areas.&nbsp;Her sleek all-white tea boutique at Taipei&#39;s Mandarin Oriental hotel is stacked with teabags in book-like boxes and clear cylindrical bottles of ready-to-drink cold brews. 
 
&quot;I think Taiwan has the best oolong and it&#39;s a pity that it&#39;s not seen all over the world,&quot; says Xie. 
 
She sells pure and flavoured oolong - a fragrant, semi-fermented tea.&nbsp;Infused with spearmint, chamomile, rose and ginger, she hopes the pretty packaging and ready-made bottles will attract uninitiated foreign customers.&nbsp;At $21 for 10 teabags, she says it is a reasonable price for top tea. 
 
&quot;Every step (in producing oolong) has to be exact. I think the craftsmanship involved matches that of international luxury products,&quot; she says. 
 
Xie has served up her tea at the Venice film festival, Paris fashion shows and Milan design week since launching two years ago. 
 
 
&#39;Cafe culture to entice younger generation&#39;&nbsp; 
 
Other entrepreneurs are hoping to create a cafe culture that will entice younger generations. 
 
At David Huang&#39;s salons in Taipei, customers order pots of organic Taiwan-grown tea served up alongside tea-flavoured French pastries. 
 
&quot;I don&#39;t want to see tea-drinking fade into history because young people think it&#39;s old-fashioned,&quot; says Huang, who opened the salons after studying marketing in France.&nbsp;&quot;It is one of the things that most represents Taiwan.&quot; 
 
Huang&#39;s &quot;Zenique&quot; brand of pure and flavoured oolong, green and black teas do not come cheap - a small tin starts at Tw$409 and can cost up to Tw$1,890.&nbsp;Huang says it is a price worth paying for a high-quality product and he counts seasoned tea drinkers among his regular customers. 
 
First-time salon visitor Anne Yu, 30, says she likes the &quot;chic and tasteful&quot; feel to the place. 
 
&quot;I started to drink more tea recently after I got palpitations from drinking coffee,&quot; she said, between mouthfuls of green tea and almond cake topped with a macaron, washed down with osmanthus oolong tea.&nbsp;&quot;I like tea better now.&quot; 
 
Fashion statement 
 
While industry experts say the average age of tea drinkers in Taiwan is rising, entrepreneurs like Xie and Huang are giving the business a fresh edge. 
 
&quot;To some young people now, running a tea company is attractive and trendy, it&#39;s like being the owner of a French vineyard,&quot; said Lin Chih-Cheng, president of the Association of Taiwan Tea.&nbsp;&quot;They feel like they are part of a creative, cultural industry.&quot; 
 
Both Huang and Xie have regular international clients and are hoping to expand the list.&nbsp;However, there are still those who argue that no-frills is best. 
 
At tea store Lin Hua Tai, leaves are still processed in a factory at the back of the shop, using traditional methods unchanged for the decades it has been in business.&nbsp;Standing in Taipei&#39;s once-bustling &quot;tea street&quot; it is one of only a few tea stores to remain. 
 
The shop buys raw tea from plantations across Taiwan and sells 100 types, from basic brews to the pricey &quot;Oriental Beauty&quot; oolong, which can go for more than Tw$4,000 per 600 grams.&nbsp;Tea leaves are stored in stainless steel barrels and packaged in plastic bags printed simply with the store&#39;s name and contact details. 
 
The shop says its loyal clientele has been won purely by word of mouth. 
 
While it is dedicated to maintaining traditions, Lin Hua Tai is also trying to inspire younger generations by giving store tours and tea tastings to students. 
 
&quot;Children drink bubble tea, but they don&#39;t know what oolong looks like, or that there are many more types of tea. When they get interested, they will grow up drinking more tea,&quot; says shop manager Joanne Kang. 
 
Kang said it would be easy to transform into a &quot;pretty store&quot;, and recognises the shop now faces trendier competition. 
 
&quot;But then everything would change and we would not be who we are,&quot; she says. 
 
(AFP)

Often artificially flavoured and loaded with milk, sugar and tapioca pearls, bubble tea has in recent years gained a global following

Cheap instant "bubble tea" has become one of Taiwan's best-known culinary exports and a new wave of entrepreneurs hopes a high-end modern take on traditional brews will also be sipped worldwide. Taiwan has been producing tea for more than 200 years and a cup of the island's famous oolong is obligatory for many visitors, but exports have been knocked by rising labour costs and bubble tea has eclipsed a carefully crafted cuppa. Often artificially flavoured and loaded with milk, sugar and tapioca pearls, bubble tea has in recent years gained a global following, from Southeast Asia to the United States and Europe. Ultra-modern tea shop "Xie Xie" is one business trying to turn the tide back to sophistication. Founder Xie Yu-tung, 30, comes from a family of tea producers and uses leaves grown on their plantations in Taiwan's mountainous Dayuling and Lishan areas. Her sleek all-white tea boutique at Taipei's Mandarin Oriental hotel is stacked with teabags in book-like boxes and clear cylindrical bottles of ready-to-drink cold brews. "I think Taiwan has the best oolong and it's a pity that it's not seen all over the world," says Xie. She sells pure and flavoured oolong - a fragrant, semi-fermented tea. Infused with spearmint, chamomile, rose and ginger, she hopes the pretty packaging and ready-made bottles will attract uninitiated foreign customers. At $21 for 10 teabags, she says it is a reasonable price for top tea. "Every step (in producing oolong) has to be exact. I think the craftsmanship involved matches that of international luxury products," she says. Xie has served up her tea at the Venice film festival, Paris fashion shows and Milan design week since launching two years ago. 'Cafe culture to entice younger generation' Other entrepreneurs are hoping to create a cafe culture that will entice younger generations. At David Huang's salons in Taipei, customers order pots of organic Taiwan-grown tea served up alongside tea-flavoured French pastries. "I don't want to see tea-drinking fade into history because young people think it's old-fashioned," says Huang, who opened the salons after studying marketing in France. "It is one of the things that most represents Taiwan." Huang's "Zenique" brand of pure and flavoured oolong, green and black teas do not come cheap - a small tin starts at Tw$409 and can cost up to Tw$1,890. Huang says it is a price worth paying for a high-quality product and he counts seasoned tea drinkers among his regular customers. First-time salon visitor Anne Yu, 30, says she likes the "chic and tasteful" feel to the place. "I started to drink more tea recently after I got palpitations from drinking coffee," she said, between mouthfuls of green tea and almond cake topped with a macaron, washed down with osmanthus oolong tea. "I like tea better now." Fashion statement While industry experts say the average age of tea drinkers in Taiwan is rising, entrepreneurs like Xie and Huang are giving the business a fresh edge. "To some young people now, running a tea company is attractive and trendy, it's like being the owner of a French vineyard," said Lin Chih-Cheng, president of the Association of Taiwan Tea. "They feel like they are part of a creative, cultural industry." Both Huang and Xie have regular international clients and are hoping to expand the list. However, there are still those who argue that no-frills is best. At tea store Lin Hua Tai, leaves are still processed in a factory at the back of the shop, using traditional methods unchanged for the decades it has been in business. Standing in Taipei's once-bustling "tea street" it is one of only a few tea stores to remain. The shop buys raw tea from plantations across Taiwan and sells 100 types, from basic brews to the pricey "Oriental Beauty" oolong, which can go for more than Tw$4,000 per 600 grams. Tea leaves are stored in stainless steel barrels and packaged in plastic bags printed simply with the store's name and contact details. The shop says its loyal clientele has been won purely by word of mouth. While it is dedicated to maintaining traditions, Lin Hua Tai is also trying to inspire younger generations by giving store tours and tea tastings to students. "Children drink bubble tea, but they don't know what oolong looks like, or that there are many more types of tea. When they get interested, they will grow up drinking more tea," says shop manager Joanne Kang. Kang said it would be easy to transform into a "pretty store", and recognises the shop now faces trendier competition. "But then everything would change and we would not be who we are," she says. (AFP)

Taiwan tea entrepreneurs brew up new twist on tradition

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