High consumption of sugary drinks linked to anxiety symptoms in adolescents

A new study has identified an association between consumption of drinks containing a high amount of sugar and anxiety symptoms in adolescents. 

Researchers at Bournemouth University were part of a team involved in reviewing the findings of multiple studies that have investigated people's diets and their mental health, to establish common findings. 

Their results have been published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.

"With increasing concern about adolescent nutrition, most public health initiatives have emphasised the physical consequences of poor dietary habits, such as obesity and type-2 diabetes," said Dr Chloe Casey, Lecturer in Nutrition and co-author of the study. "However, the mental health implications of diet have been underexplored by comparison, particularly for drinks that are energy dense but low in nutrients," she added.

Anxiety disorders are a leading cause of mental distress among young people, in 2023 it was estimated that one in five children and young people had a mental health disorder, with anxiety one of the most reported conditions. 

The studies investigated by the research team measured sugary drink consumption and mental health of the young people through surveys. Beverages with high amounts of sugar can include fizzy drinks, energy drinks, sugary juices, squashes, sweetened tea and coffee, and flavoured milks.

The results consistently found a link between high levels of sugary drink consumption and anxiety.

The researchers emphasize that because of the nature of the studies they investigated, the findings do not provide evidence that drinking more sugary drinks directly causes anxiety. It is also possible that experiencing symptoms of anxiety leads to some young people consuming more sugary drinks. Or there could be other common factors – for example family life and sleeping disorders – that lead to both increased consumption and symptoms of anxiety. 

Whilst 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."

Dr. Chloe Casey, Lecturer in Nutrition and co-author of the study

"Anxiety 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," she concluded. 

The study was led by former Bournemouth University PhD student, Dr Karim Khaled, who now works at Lebanese American University, Beirut.