Many beverages from high-street coffee chains contain dangerous amounts of sugar, according to new research by the UK campaign group Action on Sugar.
One of Starbucks' Hot Mulled Fruit drinks, for example, is crammed with 99 grams of sugar per serving, equivalent to 25 teaspoons of sugar. The Action on Sugar report says that's more than three times the maximum intake of 7 teaspoons per day.
The campaign body cites some alarming statistics: One in five of the UK population makes a stop at a coffee shop everyday, and the nation collectively consumes an estimated 1.7 billion cups of coffee each year (which might explain why many of us have trouble sleeping).
If they were sold at the supermarket, over 128 of the 131 drinks (98%!) included in the report would be issued with a red label to indicate their dangerous sugar levels.
Check out the 11 most sugar-loaded drinks you should avoid below, with the quantity of sugar visualised by the equivalent number of cans of Coke. A 12-oz can has 39 grams of sugar.
Starbucks Chai Tea Latte (Venti) = 1.4 cans of Coke
A chai tea latte contains 13 teaspoons or 52 grams of sugar. That's equivalent to 1.4 cans of Coke.
Costa Mocha (Massimo) = 1.4 cans of Coke
Costa's mocha has 13 teaspoons or 52.6 grams of sugar. That's equivalent to 1.4 cans of Coke.
Costa Hot Chocolate (Massimo) = 1.5 cans of Coke
A hot chocolate from Costa contains 14 teaspoons or 54 grams of sugar. That's equivalent to 1.5 cans of Coke.
KFC Hot Chocolate with cream = 1.5 cans of Coke
KFC's hot chocolate comes in at 14 teaspoons or 54.3 grams of sugar. That's equivalent to 1.5 cans of Coke.
Costa Coffee Mocha Latte (Massimo) = 1.5 cans of Coke
This mocha latte contains 14 teaspoons or 57.5 grams of sugar. That's equivalent to 1.5 cans of Coke.
Starbucks Signature Hot Chocolate (Venti) = 1.8 cans of Coke
This hot chocolate contains 15 teaspoons or 60 grams of sugar. That's equivalent to 1.8 cans of Coke.
Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha with whipped cream (Venti) = 2 cans of Coke
There are 18 teaspoons or 73.8 grams of sugar in this mocha drink. That's equivalent to 2 cans of Coke.
Costa Chai Latte (Massimo) = 2.2 cans of Coke
This latte is laced with 20 teaspoons or 79.7 grams of sugar. That's equivalent to 2.2 cans of Coke.
Starbucks Hot Mulled Fruit - Apple with Chai, Dried Apple, and Cinnamon (Venti) = 2.4 cans of Coke
There are 22 teaspoons or 88 grams of sugar in this fruity Starbucks drink. That's equivalent to 2.4 cans of Coke.
Starbucks Hot Mulled Fruit - Grape with Chai, Orange, and Cinnamon (Venti) = 2.7 cans of Coke
This tour-de-force contains 25 teaspoons or 99 grams of sugar. That's equivalent to 2.7 cans of Coke
You can see the full report on Action on Sugar's website.