Sugary Drinks Linked to Higher Risk of Anxiety in Certain Age Group, Study Finds
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Too much sugary drinks may specifically lead to an increased risk of anxiety among teenagers, a new study shows.
In a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, researchers from the United Kingdom reviewed several studies conducted between 2000 and 2025.
They explored the link between consumption of sugary drinks (such as soda, energy drinks, sweetened juices, teas and coffee) and anxiety disorders in adolescents between 10 and 19 years old.
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Adolescents with a higher consumption of sugary drinks were found to have approximately a 34% higher risk of suffering from an anxiety disorder compared to those who drank less.
Seven of the nine studies analyzed by the researchers showed a significant positive association between sugary drink intake and anxiety symptoms.
It was found that teens who drank more sugary drinks were about 34% more likely to suffer from an anxiety disorder. (iStock)
“With growing concerns about adolescent nutrition, most public health initiatives have emphasized the physical consequences of poor eating habits, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes,” study co-author Dr. Chloe Casey, a professor of nutrition at Bournemouth University in the United Kingdom, said in a news release.
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“However, by comparison, the mental health implications of diet have been underexplored, particularly for beverages that are high in energy but low in nutrients.”
The study was based on observational data, which does not prove that consuming sugary drinks directly causes anxiety. There is also no clear indication whether sugary drinks cause anxiety or whether anxious teens are more likely to drink them.
The study does not confirm a direct cause, but it does show a strong association between sugary drinks and anxiety. (iStock)
“While we may not be able to confirm at this stage what the direct cause is, this study has identified an unhealthy connection between sugary drink consumption and anxiety disorders in young people,” Casey said.
“Anxiety disorders in adolescence have increased significantly in recent years, so it is important to identify lifestyle habits that can be changed to reduce the risk of this trend continuing.”
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About 11% of American children ages 3 to 17 were diagnosed with anxiety between 2022 and 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Anxiety problems, behavioral disorders, and depression are the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children,” the agency’s website states.
About 11% of American children ages 3 to 17 have been diagnosed with anxiety, according to CDC data. (iStock)
“While it’s important to note that this study is correlation, not causation, I have no doubt that a better designed study would show the same results,” Los Angeles-based registered dietitian nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein told News Digital.
“Soda, also known as liquid sugar, without fiber, protein or fat to slow its absorption, floods the bloodstream faster than almost any other type of food or drink,” said Muhlstein, who was not involved in the study.
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“The pancreas struggles to respond, insulin rises, blood sugar drops, and you are left in a state of dopamine deficiency that looks and feels like anxiety,” he continued. “The sharper the peak, the deeper the shock.”
In his own practice, Muhlstein has found that teens consume fewer sodas and more coffees with oat milk, syrupy “loaded” coffee drinks, slushies, and sports drinks.
Sugary drinks are “liquid candy” for the body, one registered dietitian said. (iStock)
Excessive blood sugar spikes can also affect weight, acne, sleep quality, and emotional regulation, he shared, regardless of caffeine levels.
“What these kids drink makes a big difference in their physical and emotional state, and caffeine, plus unstable blood sugar, only makes it worse,” Muhlstein warned.
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Serena Poon, a certified nutritionist, longevity expert and founder of Wholistic Lifestyle Medicine in Los Angeles, noted that food and drinks “are more than just fuel.”
“They provide information to the body and the brain,” says the expert, who also did not participate in the research, to News Digital. “What teens drink regularly can influence energy levels, mood stability, and even how the nervous system responds to stress.”
One expert advised parents to encourage greater balance in their children’s diet and lifestyle habits. (iStock)
“Heavily sweetened drinks can lead to rapid energy spikes followed by crashes, and when caffeine is added to the mix, it can amplify stress responses in the body.”
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Poon advised parents to encourage their children to reduce the frequency of consumption of sugary drinks and to stay hydrated with water, herbal teas or sparkling water to maintain more stable energy levels.
Meals should also be balanced with fiber, healthy fats, and protein to stabilize blood sugar, which can affect mood and concentration.
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“Adolescence is a critical window for brain development, so supporting adolescents with balanced nutrition, stable energy levels, and adequate hydration can help support physical and emotional well-being,” Poon added.
News Digital has contacted the American Beverage Association and Bournemouth University for comment.
Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for News Digital.