Soft Drinks News and Research

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Children's oral health remain very poor despite improvements from government interventions

Children's access to NHS dentists and rates of tooth decay remain very poor despite improvements from national government interventions, oral health experts say.

10 Nov 2025

How modern habits are reshaping the Mediterranean diet for the worse

Nearly all children and adolescents in five Mediterranean countries consume unhealthy ultra-processed foods daily, according to the DELICIOUS Project. The study links higher intake to obesity, older age, screen time, eating out, and exposure to food advertising.

9 Nov 2025

Study finds high intake of ultra-processed foods tied to reduced DNA methylation

Women who consumed more ultra-processed foods (UPFs) showed distinct DNA methylation patterns, mostly reduced across key gene regions. These exploratory findings suggest that high UPF intake may influence gene regulation through epigenetic mechanisms.

4 Nov 2025

How branding and peer pressure keep kids hooked on energy drinks

Children and adolescents in North East England still find energy drinks easy to access despite a voluntary UK ban, drawn by taste, price, and powerful marketing. Hydration drinks like PRIME are viewed as “healthier,” even though young consumers often misunderstand their ingredients and health impacts.

28 Oct 2025

Drinking soft drinks may fuel depression by altering gut bacteria

A study links soft drink consumption to increased depression risk, highlighting gut microbiome changes, particularly in women. Learn more about the findings.

10 Oct 2025

Calorie labeling in England linked to only small reductions in out-of-home food

Calorie labeling, which became law in April 2022 in England, is associated with only a small (2%) average reduction in the energy content of food that is available away from home, finds research published in the open access journal BMJ Public Health.

7 Oct 2025

New study suggests a connection between soft drinks and depression via the microbiome

A new study involving the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) provides strong evidence that sugary drinks affect not only metabolic but also mental health – especially in women. This effect is probably mediated by the sensitive microbiome of the intestine.

25 Sep 2025

Study finds growing popularity of low and alcohol-free drinks among 'risky drinkers' in the UK

There's been a significant rise in the use of low and alcohol-free drinks to curb alcohol intake among 'risky drinkers' over the past 5 years in England, Wales, and Scotland, finds research published in the open access journal BMJ Public Health.

23 Sep 2025

The challenges of shift work on diet, sleep, and well-being

Healthcare shift workers face dietary and sleep challenges, leading to burnout and health issues. Effective interventions are crucial for their well-being.

25 Aug 2025

Ultra-processed foods undermine diet quality in Mediterranean youth, study shows

A large study across five Mediterranean countries found that children and adolescents who consumed more unhealthy ultra-processed foods (UPFs) had significantly poorer diet quality. Daily UPF intake was especially linked to lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet and reduced compliance with dietary guidelines.

18 Aug 2025

Microplastics found in all popular UK drinks, with hot beverages worst offenders

Researchers found microplastics in every hot and cold beverage tested in the UK, with higher levels in hot drinks and packaging as the main source. Beverage consumption was shown to significantly increase daily microplastic intake beyond water-only estimates.

11 Aug 2025

UK food policy misses big slice of ultra-processed problem, study finds

A decade-long UK dietary analysis shows HFSS regulations overlook many ultra-processed staples like white bread and diet drinks, revealing a major gap in tackling unhealthy food consumption.

11 Aug 2025

Eating more ultra-processed food raises your risk of lung cancer

The association between ultra-processed food consumption and lung cancer risk underscores the importance of nutrition in cancer prevention strategies.

4 Aug 2025

New study connects ultra-processed foods to lung cancer

A higher intake of ultra processed food (UPF) is linked to an increased risk of lung cancer, suggests research published online in the respiratory journal Thorax.

30 Jul 2025

Vegan teens exercise more often than meat-eating peers, study finds

A nationwide Austrian study of nearly 9,000 teens reveals distinct health behaviors and motivations among vegetarian, vegan, and omnivorous students. Vegan and vegetarian youth are more likely to report higher fruit, vegetable, and activity levels, but still fall short of daily exercise targets.

29 Jul 2025

Study reveals how age and gender influence dietary patterns in Japan

As the age-old proverb rightly states, "You are what you eat." Our diet largely influences our health and well-being.

17 Jul 2025

Are sweeteners really making our children’s diets healthier?

Higher consumption of low-calorie sweetened (LCS) products among UK children was not consistently linked to reduced free sugar intake, and may reflect less healthy overall dietary patterns. Over 11 years, improvements in dietary quality were slowest among those consuming the most LCS products.

29 Jun 2025

Is plastic packaging putting more than just food on your plate?

Researchers systematically mapped the evidence on micro-, meso-, and nanoplastics migrating from plastic food-contact articles (FCAs) into food. While most studies report migration, only a small number provide highly reliable proof linking typical FCA use to MNP presence in food.

26 Jun 2025

Kids notice sugar warnings but still reach for flavored milk

Findings reveal that sugary drink labels lead to minor changes in children's beverage selections, pointing to the necessity for effective labeling strategies.

8 Jun 2025

Study sheds new light on how caffeine can impair sleep and memory recovery

Caffeine is not only found in coffee, but also in tea, chocolate, energy drinks and many soft drinks, making it one of the most widely consumed psychoactive substances in the world.

28 May 2025