Can Sugary Drinks Cause Anxiety in Teenagers?
Yes. A systematic review and meta-analysis of nine studies found that teens who drink high amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages have a 34% increased risk of anxiety disorders compared to those who drink less. Seven of the nine studies showed a consistent positive link between sugary drink consumption and anxiety symptoms in adolescents.
Teen anxiety is on the rise, and researchers are looking for everyday factors that might play a role. This review, the first of its kind to focus specifically on sugary drinks and anxiety in adolescents, gathered evidence from nine separate studies to answer a simple question: does drinking soda, energy drinks, and other sweetened beverages make teens more anxious? The answer, across the majority of studies, was yes.
Sugar-sweetened beverages include sodas, fruit drinks with added sugar, energy drinks, and sweetened teas. These are among the most popular drinks for teens worldwide. The researchers wanted to understand whether this common habit could be contributing to the growing wave of anxiety disorders among young people.
Dr. Kumar’s Take
What strikes me about this meta-analysis is how consistent the findings are. When seven out of nine studies point in the same direction, that is a strong signal. A 34% increase in anxiety risk is meaningful, especially when we are talking about a habit that is so widespread among teenagers.
I also appreciate that this is the first systematic review to zero in on the connection between sugary drinks and anxiety specifically in adolescents. We have known for some time that diet affects mood, but having data focused on this age group makes the findings more actionable for parents and pediatricians. This does not mean that soda causes anxiety on its own. But when a teen is already struggling with stress or worry, a diet full of sugary drinks may be making things worse. The practical upside is clear: cutting back on these beverages is a low-risk, low-cost step that could help.
What the Research Shows
The researchers pooled data from nine studies that examined the relationship between sugar-sweetened beverage intake and anxiety outcomes in teenagers. Across this combined evidence, adolescents with the highest levels of sugary drink consumption faced a 34% greater risk of developing anxiety disorders than their peers who drank less. This finding held up across the majority of the studies included in the analysis.
Seven of the nine studies found a positive association between sugary drinks and anxiety symptoms. The consistency across different study designs and populations strengthens the overall conclusion. While each individual study had its own methods and limitations, the pattern that emerged when all nine were analyzed together paints a clear picture: higher sugary drink intake tracks with higher anxiety risk in this age group.
Key Patterns Across Studies
One important detail is that the link between sugary beverages and anxiety showed up across different countries and study populations. This suggests the connection is not limited to one culture or diet pattern. Whether teens were drinking sodas, sweetened teas, or energy drinks, the trend pointed in the same direction.
The researchers also noted that this is the first systematic review to specifically examine this relationship in adolescents. Previous reviews had looked at diet and mental health more broadly, or focused on adults. By narrowing the focus to teens and sugary drinks, this analysis fills an important gap. It also raises practical questions about whether school and public health policies aimed at reducing sugary drink access could have mental health benefits alongside physical ones.
Gaps in the Evidence
While the overall pattern is convincing, there are important limitations to keep in mind. Most of the included studies were observational, which means they can show a link but cannot prove that sugary drinks directly cause anxiety. It is possible that teens who are already anxious may reach for sugary drinks as a form of comfort, creating a reverse relationship.
The review also could not determine exactly how much sugary drink consumption is “too much” or identify a specific threshold where risk begins to rise. Future research with longer follow-up periods and more consistent measurement methods will help clarify these questions. Still, the strength of the overall association across nine studies makes a strong case for taking this connection seriously.
Practical Takeaways
- Encourage teens to replace one sugary drink per day with water or unsweetened options, since even small reductions in intake may lower anxiety risk over time.
- Parents and schools should be aware that high sugar-sweetened beverage consumption in teens is linked to more than just physical health problems, as it may also affect mental well-being.
- If a teenager is dealing with anxiety symptoms, reviewing their daily diet, including how many sugary drinks they consume, is a simple and worthwhile first step alongside professional support.
- Keep sugary drinks out of easy reach at home and stock alternatives like sparkling water, herbal tea, or fruit-infused water to make healthier choices the default.
Related Studies and Research
If you are interested in learning more about how diet and lifestyle affect health, explore these related articles:
- Sugary Drinks, Fructose, and the Risk of Gout in Men explores how sugar-sweetened beverages contribute to other serious health conditions beyond anxiety.
- L-Theanine Supplementation for Mental Disorders: Systematic Review looks at a natural supplement that may help reduce anxiety and improve mental health outcomes.
- Physical Exercise-Based Rehabilitation for Long COVID: Meta-Analysis of 23 Studies examines how physical activity supports both mental and physical recovery.
- PPIs Cause Low Magnesium: Meta-Analysis Reveals 43% Higher Risk is another example of how everyday substances can have unexpected effects on health.
FAQs
Why would sugary drinks increase anxiety in teenagers specifically?
Teenagers may be especially vulnerable because their brains are still developing, particularly the regions involved in emotional regulation and stress response. High sugar intake causes rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar, which can trigger the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Over time, these repeated hormonal surges may train the brain to stay in a heightened state of alertness. Adolescents also tend to consume more sugary beverages than most other age groups, which means their cumulative exposure is higher during a critical window of brain development.
How much soda or sugary drinks is considered “too much” for a teenager?
This meta-analysis did not identify a specific safe threshold, but major health organizations offer guidance. The American Heart Association recommends that children and teens consume no more than 8 ounces of sugary drinks per week. Many adolescents far exceed this, with some drinking one or more sugary beverages every day. Even modest reductions, like cutting from daily to a few times per week, could meaningfully lower both physical and mental health risks based on the patterns seen across these studies.
Are diet sodas or artificially sweetened drinks a safer alternative for anxious teens?
The research in this review focused on sugar-sweetened beverages, not artificially sweetened ones, so it cannot answer this question directly. Some studies on artificial sweeteners and mental health have produced mixed results, with a few suggesting that diet drinks may carry their own risks for mood and anxiety through different pathways. The safest approach for teens concerned about anxiety is to focus on water, milk, and other naturally unsweetened beverages rather than simply switching from regular to diet soda. This avoids both the blood sugar swings from real sugar and the potential unknowns of artificial sweeteners.
Bottom Line
This first-of-its-kind meta-analysis sends a clear message: teens who drink a lot of sugary beverages face a 34% higher risk of anxiety disorders. With seven out of nine studies confirming this link, the evidence is consistent and hard to ignore. While more research is needed to prove a direct cause, reducing sugary drink consumption is a simple, safe, and practical step that parents and teens can take today. In a world where teen anxiety is rising fast, small dietary changes like swapping soda for water could be one piece of a larger solution.
