A 31-Year-Old Man Hospitalized Five Times Because of a Drink Many People Consume Daily

Though delicious, overindulging in this popular beverage can come at the cost of your health.

According to the Second People’s Hospital of Hunan Province (China), a 31-year-old IT engineer surnamed Liu was admitted to the hospital after suffering from severe abdominal pain and continuous vomiting following a “hot pot and bubble milk tea feast.” He was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis for the fifth time—a life-threatening condition if not treated promptly.

Test results showed that Liu’s triglyceride level (blood fat) had reached 23 mmol/L, which is 13 times higher than the normal level (<1.7 mmol/L); his blood glucose was 23.44 mmol/L, nearly four times the normal range (3.9–6.1 mmol/L); and his bad cholesterol levels were also elevated.

Doctors explained:

“Milk tea is high in sugar and fat, which can cause a rapid spike in blood glucose and triglycerides. When triglyceride levels exceed 5.56 mmol/L, the risk of acute pancreatitis can increase five to tenfold. At that point, fat particles block the pancreatic blood vessels, causing the pancreas to be ‘soaked in oil,’ digest itself, and become inflamed.”

Beyond diet, staying up late was another major factor disrupting Liu’s metabolism.

“Late nights increase insulin resistance and lipid disorders, forcing the pancreas to overwork while fatigued—creating the perfect storm for inflammation,” said the doctor.

Despite being hospitalized four times previously, Liu couldn’t quit milk tea or fatty foods, causing recurrent and worsening pancreatitis—nearly progressing to necrotizing pancreatitis, a severe condition that can lead to multiple organ failure and death.

“When pancreatic enzymes are wrongly activated, they begin to ‘digest’ the pancreas and surrounding organs, leading to widespread inflammation and multi-organ failure,” the doctor explained. He emphasized that anyone who has suffered from acute pancreatitis must “control their mouth and move their legs” — meaning eat wisely and exercise regularly, because prevention is always better than cure.

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How to Prevent Pancreatitis Effectively

• Control blood lipids: Keep triglycerides below 1.7 mmol/L; seek medical advice if levels exceed this.

• Cut back on sugar and fat: Limit milk tea, fried foods, fatty meats — the pancreas’s worst enemies.

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Avoid late nights, alcohol, and ensure at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.

• Get regular checkups: Overweight individuals, those with high-fat diets, or a family history of pancreatitis should monitor blood lipids and get abdominal ultrasounds regularly.

Doctors warn that acute pancreatitis is increasingly affecting younger people. Many patients under 35 are being hospitalized with abnormally high triglycerides — most share similar habits: drinking milk tea, eating spicy oily foods, staying up late, and being sedentary.

“A cup of milk tea may make you happy for a few minutes,” the doctor warned, “but it can also trigger a ‘fat-bomb’ in your body. Don’t let a moment of pleasure turn into a lifetime tragedy. A healthy lifestyle is the true protective charm of youth.”