Sweet-tooths should take note: Matcha latte, avocado smoothie, Thai tea—have you ever wondered how much sugar lurks in your favorite daily drinks? The Occupational Health and Wellness Center at Chulalongkorn Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, randomly tested sugar levels from various vendors to warn consumers about the "sweetness" that may unknowingly bring serious illnesses.
Health guidelines recommend limiting sugar intake to no more than 6 teaspoons per day to reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, a single drink can contain sugar amounts far exceeding this limit.
According to the latest random tests (as of 4 April 2026), the following alarming sugar levels were found:
Rank | Drink Menu | Sugar Content (teaspoons) |
1 | Sticky Cocoa | 13.5 (more than double the limit!) |
2 | Matcha Latte | 10 |
3 | Avocado Smoothie | 9.5 |
4 | Black Iced Coffee (Oliang) | 7 |
5 | Thai Tea | 6 |
6 | Palm Sugar Drink | 6 |
7 | Thai Tea (50% sweetness) | 4 |
Note: Even seemingly healthy options like "avocado smoothie" can contain up to 9.5 teaspoons of sugar if large amounts of syrup or sweetened condensed milk are added.
If you can't quit sweet drinks immediately, start making small changes with these simple methods:
Read nutrition labels: Always check sugar content before buying ready-made drinks.
Make "less sweet" your habit: Reducing sweetness levels (e.g., 50% or 25% sugar) significantly lowers your sugar intake.
Drink plain water: Sip water instead of sweet drinks throughout the day to stay refreshed without extra calories.
Mindful consumption is key to good health. Begin cutting back on sweetness today for a stronger body tomorrow.
Information provided by: Occupational Health and Wellness Center, Chulalongkorn Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society.
Data updated as of: 4 April 2026.
