Analysis of Total Carbohydrates in Sweetened Iced Tea Beverages from the Al Ghifari University Area

Abstract

Sweetened iced tea, a beverage composed of tea, sugar, water, and ice, is highly popular among students. Within the Al Ghifari campus area, numerous vendors sell this beverage. A limited variety of food and beverage options on campus leads to repetitive consumption patterns, with sweetened iced tea being a prominent choice due to its affordability, widespread availability, and palatable taste. However, the significant sugar content in these beverages poses a potential health risk to the student population if consumption is not moderated. This study aims to analysis the total carbohydrates in sweetened iced tea samples collected from vendors within the Al Ghifari University area. The methodology employed the Luff-Schoorl method for the quantitative analysis of total carbohydrates. The analysis of five samples, conducted in triplicate, revealed mean total carbohydrate concentrations of 20.46%, 27.49%, 22.42%, 18.80%, and 23.10% per serving, respectively. Consequently, based on these findings, it is recommended that consumption be limited to a maximum of one glass a day and should not become a daily habit to mitigate potential health risks.