Researchers from Bournemouth University have pooled data from several earlier investigations to explore how sugary drink habits line up with anxiety signs in teenagers.
The team sifted through survey results that recorded both the frequency of sweetened sodas, energy drinks, flavored juices and similar beverages, and the level of anxiety reported by young participants. Their findings appeared in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.
Mental Health Often Overlooked in Dietary Studies
Anxiety ranks among the most common mental‑health challenges for adolescents. In 2023, roughly one in five youths was estimated to live with a mental‑health disorder, with anxiety topping the list.
Sweet Drinks, Higher Anxiety Scores
Across the pooled studies, a clear pattern emerged: teens who reported drinking more sugary beverages also tended to score higher on anxiety questionnaires. The link held steady regardless of the country or specific age group examined.
Correlation, Not Causation
While the association is robust, the researchers caution that it does not prove that sugary drinks cause anxiety. It’s possible that anxious teens gravitate toward sweet drinks, or that shared factors—such as family stress, irregular sleep, or overall diet quality—drive both outcomes.
Dr. Karim Khaled, who conducted the analysis while completing his PhD at Bournemouth University and now works at the Lebanese American University, emphasized the need for actionable lifestyle advice.
“Adolescent anxiety rates have surged in recent years. Identifying modifiable habits, like reducing sugary‑drink consumption, could help curb this upward trend,” he added.