Sugary drinks associated with anxiety disorders among teens, study shows

An excess of sugary drinks can specifically lead to a higher risk of anxiety among teens, a new study shows.In a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, U.K.researchers reviewed various studies from 2000 to 2025.They explored the link between drinking sugar-sweetened beverages — like sodas, energy drinks, sweetened juices, teas and coffee — and anxiety disorders in adolescents between 10 and 19 years old.Teens with a higher consumption of sugary drinks were found to have about a 34% greater risk of having an anxiety disorder compared to those who drank less.Seven out of the nine studies analyzed by the researchers showed a significant positive association between sugary drinks intake and anxiety symptoms.“With increasing concern about adolescent nutrition, most public health initiatives have emphasized the physical consequences of poor dietary habits, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes,” study co-author Dr.

Chloe Casey, lecturer in nutrition at Bournemouth University in the U.K., commented in a press release statement.“However, the mental health implications of diet have been under-explored by comparison, particularly for drinks that are energy-dense but low in nutrients.”The study was based on observational data, which does not prove that drinking sugary beverages directly causes anxiety.There is also not a clear indication of whether sugary drinks cause anxiety or if anxious teens are more inclined to drink them.“While 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 that can be changed to reduce the risk of this trend continuing.”About 11% of American children between the ages of 3 and 17 were diagnosed with anxiety between 202...