{"id":493751,"date":"2026-02-21T02:51:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T02:51:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/493751\/"},"modified":"2026-02-21T02:51:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T02:51:19","slug":"sugary-drinks-linked-to-34-increase-in-anxiety-researchers-say","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/493751\/","title":{"rendered":"Sugary Drinks Linked to 34% Increase in Anxiety, Researchers Say"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"RowsShare on Pinterest<\/a>A 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. 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.<\/p>\n

Excess sugar intake is associated with numerous chronic health conditions, from obesity to diabetes and heart disease.<\/p>\n

Now, consumption of sugary drinks has been linked to symptoms of anxiety in young people.<\/p>\n

Researchers from Bournemouth University found that a high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages was linked to a 34% increased risk of anxiety among adolescents.<\/p>\n

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 \u201csignificant\u201d positive association between the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages<\/a> and anxiety. <\/p>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Study co-author Chloe Casey<\/a>, PhD, a lecturer in Nutrition at Bournemouth University, said in a press statement<\/a> that most public health initiatives have focused on the physical consequences of poor dietary habits.<\/p>\n

She noted that the mental health implications of diet, particularly for energy-dense but nutrient-poor sugary drinks, are largely underexplored. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhilst 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<\/a> in young people,\u201d Casey said. <\/p>\n

\u201cAnxiety 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,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n

Frequent consumption of these drinks is associated with: <\/p>\n

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests more than 60%<\/a> of youth drink a sugar-sweetened beverage on a given day.<\/p>\n

Whitney Linsenmeyer<\/a>, PhD, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, wasn\u2019t involved in the new study, but said the findings were unsurprising.<\/p>\n

\u201cSugar-sweetened beverages are linked to a variety of poor physical and mental health outcomes,\u201d she told Healthline. <\/p>\n

\u201cSugar-sweetened beverages are broadly considered to be an \u2019empty calorie food,\u2019 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<\/a>, which is further implicated in poor health outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sugar-sweetened beverages often include soda, but Linsenmeyer said there are many other beverage choices that can also be high in sugar<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany beverages fall into the category of \u2018sugar-sweetened beverages,\u2019 including energy drinks, flavored milks, coffee drinks, sweetened iced tea, and lemonade,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

\u201cThese can have just as much, if not more, added sugar<\/a> when compared to a soda<\/a>. For example, a 12-oz can of a common soda brand provides 39 grams of added sugar, while the same size can of a common energy drink<\/a> provides 41 grams of added sugar.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Bournemouth study is the latest in a growing body of research<\/a> that demonstrates a link between sugar intake and poor mental health.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is [a] burgeoning field of research, and we are learning much about the effects of dietary intake and mental health. Much of what we eat can affect hormone levels, including serotonin and dopamine<\/a>, and therefore affect mental health,\u201d Dana Hunnes,<\/a> PhD, a senior dietician at UCLA Health, told Healthline. Hunnes wasn\u2019t involved in the study.<\/p>\n

Anxiety<\/a> can be influenced by changes to blood sugar levels, which experts say can be made worse by consuming sugary drinks.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur mental health and food are so intertwined. While we often focus on physical issues like obesity, what we eat is massively influential on our mood and cognitive function,\u201d Daniel Ganjian<\/a>, MD, board certified pediatrician at Providence Saint John\u2019s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, told Healthline. Ganjian wasn\u2019t involved in the study.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpecifically for anxiety, the spikes and crashes from sugar can definitely make feelings of jitters or nervousness feel much worse,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The Bournemouth University study identified an association between intake of sugar sweetened beverages and anxiety in young people. But experts note this does not prove sugary drinks cause anxiety in young people, and other factors could be contributing. <\/p>\n

Linsenmeyer posited that it may not be the sugar-sweetened beverage intake alone that correlates with anxiety symptoms, but rather, the compounding effect of these drinks, plus the omission of healthier beverages in a person\u2019s diet.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn association signals a potential link, not proof of cause. High sugary drink intake may be part of a broader lifestyle pattern that includes poor sleep, low diet quality, or higher stress<\/a>; all of which can influence anxiety risk. Either way sugary drinks are not a healthy option,\u201d said Wesley McWhorter<\/a>, a registered dietitian nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. McWhorter wasn\u2019t involved in the study.<\/p>\n

\u201cA pattern of highly processed, high-sugar intake may worsen instability, while balanced meals<\/a> with protein, fiber<\/a>, and healthy fats<\/a> can support steadier energy and mood. Diet alone isn\u2019t treatment, but it can support resilience [and] mood.\u201d<\/p>\n

The study authors note that reducing intake of sugar-sweetened beverages may help combat the rising rates of anxiety in young people.<\/p>\n

To do this, Hunnes noted the importance of choosing appropriate alternatives.<\/p>\n

\u201cLess sugar is always better; that doesn\u2019t mean that \u2018sugar-free\u2019 alternatives are better. Ideally, sparkling water with a splash of real fruit juice would be better,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Linsenmeyer argued that sugar-sweetened beverages should be regarded as a \u201cdessert.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cSomething you have once in a while on a special occasion, but not something you drink every day, and certainly not something you rely on to meet your hydration needs<\/a>,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlternatives include flavored sparkling waters, herbal teas<\/a>, or milk without added sugars. Teens may enjoy creating their own water infusions with freshly cut fruit<\/a> such as oranges, lemons, limes, or strawberries.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Share on PinterestA new study has linked sugar-sweetened beverages to anxiety symptoms in young people. Stockah\/Getty ImagesConsumption of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":493752,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[64,63,137,532],"class_list":["post-493751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nutrition","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-health","tag-nutrition"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/493751","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=493751"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/493751\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/493752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=493751"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=493751"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=493751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}