on PinterestA new study has linked sugar-sweetened beverages to anxiety symptoms in young people. Stockah/Getty ImagesConsumption of beverages high in sugar is associated with symptoms of anxiety in young people.
on PinterestA new study has linked sugar-sweetened beverages to anxiety symptoms in young people. Stockah/Getty Images
- Consumption of beverages high in sugar is associated with symptoms of anxiety in young people.
- High intake of sugary drinks is associated with a 34% increased risk of anxiety in adolescents.
- Experts say the spikes and crashes of blood sugar levels due to high sugar content in these beverages could contribute to anxiety.
Excess sugar intake is associated with numerous chronic health conditions, from obesity to diabetes and heart disease.
Now, consumption of sugary drinks has been linked to symptoms of anxiety in young people.
Researchers from Bournemouth University found that a high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages was linked to a 34% increased risk of anxiety among adolescents.
To explore the association between sugar-sweetened beverages and anxiety in young people, the researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of nine studies. Seven of the studies identified a “significant” positive association between the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and anxiety.
The research is the first systematic review to link the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages to anxiety in adolescents. The findings were published on February 10 in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.
Study co-author Chloe Casey, PhD, a lecturer in Nutrition at Bournemouth University, said in a press statement that most public health initiatives have focused on the physical consequences of poor dietary habits.
She noted that the mental health implications of diet, particularly for energy-dense but nutrient-poor sugary drinks, are largely underexplored.
“Whilst we may not be able to confirm at this stage what the direct cause is, this study has identified an unhealthy connection between consumption of sugary drinks and anxiety disorders in young people,” Casey said.
“Anxiety disorders in adolescence have risen sharply in recent years, so it is important to identify lifestyle habits which can be changed to reduce the risk of this trend continuing,” she continued.
Sugary drinks are a top source of added sugars
In the United States, sugar-sweetened beverages are a leading source of added sugars in many diets.
Frequent consumption of these drinks is associated with:
- type 2 diabetes
- weight gain
- obesity
- heart disease
- nonalcoholic liver disease
- gout
- tooth decay
- cavities
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests more than 60% of youth drink a sugar-sweetened beverage on a given day.
Whitney Linsenmeyer, PhD, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, wasn’t involved in the new study, but said the findings were unsurprising.
“Sugar-sweetened beverages are linked to a variety of poor physical and mental health outcomes,” she told Healthline.
“Sugar-sweetened beverages are broadly considered to be an ’empty calorie food,’ meaning they provide calories, but little to no nutritional value. The sugars are rapidly digested and absorbed, leading to spikes and drops in blood sugar levels, which is further implicated in poor health outcomes.”
Sugar-sweetened beverages often include soda, but Linsenmeyer said there are many other beverage choices that can also be high in sugar.
“Many beverages fall into the category of ‘sugar-sweetened beverages,’ including energy drinks, flavored milks, coffee drinks, sweetened iced tea, and lemonade,” she said.
“These can have
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