Study Links Sugary Drinks to Increased Anxiety Risk in Teens

A new comprehensive study has revealed that teenagers who consume high amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages face a significantly elevated risk of anxiety disorders compared to those who drink fewer such beverages.

Published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, the meta-analysis conducted by U.K. researchers examined various studies spanning from 2000 to 2025. The researchers specifically investigated connections between anxiety disorders and the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among adolescents aged 10 to 19.

The findings were striking: teens with higher consumption of sugary drinks demonstrated approximately 34% greater risk of having an anxiety disorder compared to those with lower intake levels. Seven out of nine studies analyzed showed a significant positive association between sugary drink consumption and anxiety symptoms.

“With increasing concern about adolescent nutrition, most public health initiatives have emphasized the physical consequences of poor dietary habits, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes,” said study co-author Dr. Chloe Casey, lecturer in nutrition at Bournemouth University. “However, the mental health implications of diet have been under-explored by comparison, particularly for drinks that are energy-dense but low in nutrients.”

The research examined a wide range of sugar-sweetened beverages, including sodas, energy drinks, sweetened juices, teas, and coffee drinks. These products are particularly popular among teenagers, a demographic already experiencing rising anxiety rates.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 11% of American children between ages 3 and 17 were diagnosed with anxiety between 2022 and 2023. “Anxiety problems, behavior disorders and depression are the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children,” the CDC notes.

Experts caution that while the study demonstrates a strong correlation, it doesn’t definitively prove causation. The research cannot conclusively determine whether sugary beverages directly cause anxiety or if adolescents with anxiety are more inclined to consume such drinks.

“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,” said Ilana Muhlstein, a Los Angeles-based registered dietitian nutritionist not involved in the study.

Muhlstein explained the physiological mechanism that might connect sugar consumption to anxiety symptoms: “Soda, aka liquid sugar — with no fiber, protein or fat to slow absorption — floods the bloodstream faster than almost any other type of food or drink. The pancreas scrambles to respond, insulin spikes, blood sugar crashes and you are left in a dopamine deficit state that looks and feels just like anxiety. The sharper the spike, the deeper the crash.”

This blood sugar volatility can impact more than just anxiety levels. According to nutritionists, excessive blood sugar spikes may also affect weight management, skin health, sleep quality, and emotional regulation—regardless of whether the beverages contain caffeine.

In her practice, Muhlstein has observed that while teens may be consuming less traditional soda, they’re shifting toward other highly sweetened beverages like oat milk lattes, coffee drinks loaded with syrup, slushies, and sports drinks.

Serena Poon, a certified nutritionist and longevity expert in Los Angeles, emphasized that food and beverages provide informational signals to the body and brain beyond mere caloric content. “What teens drink regularly can influence energy levels, mood stability and even how the nervous system responds to stress,” said Poon, who was not involved in the research.

“Highly sweetened drinks can create quick energy highs followed by crashes, and when caffeine is added to the mix, it can amplify stress responses in the body,” she added.

The findings come at a critical time when adolescent mental health concerns are increasingly prevalent. Dr. Casey noted, “Anxiety disorders in adolescence have risen sharply in recent years, so it is important to identify lifestyle habits that can be changed to reduce the risk of this trend continuing.”

Health experts recommend that parents encourage their children to reduce sugary beverage consumption and increase water intake. They also suggest focusing on balanced meals containing fiber, healthy fats, and proteins to help stabilize blood sugar levels, which may positively impact both mood and concentration.

“Adolescence is a critical window for brain development, so supporting teens with balanced nutrition, stable energy levels and adequate hydration may help support both physical and emotional well-being,” Poon concluded.