Report suggests sugary drinks and anxiety link

Researchers have suggested there could be an "unhealthy connection" between sugary drinks and mental health issues in young people.

Bournemouth University staff were part of a team involved in reviewing the findings of multiple studies, which investigated people's diets and their mental health.

They said the results consistently found a link between anxiety - a leading cause of mental distress among young people - and the consumption of drinks with high levels of sugar.

Lecturer in nutrition Dr Chloe Casey said the mental health implications of diet have been "underexplored".

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 investigated included fizzy drinks, energy drinks, sugary juices, squashes, sweetened tea and coffee, and flavoured milks.

The researchers emphasised that the findings did not provide evidence that drinking more sugary drinks directly caused anxiety.

They said it was possible that experiencing symptoms of anxiety led to some young people consuming more sugary drinks.

Common factors like family life and sleeping disorders could lead to both increased consumption and symptoms of anxiety, the research team said.

"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," Casey said.

"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 added.

In a statement, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the The Soft Drinks Industry Levy was "a transformative health tax intervention".

Known as the sugar tax - milkshakes, coffee drinks and milk substitutes were be included for the first time last year.

A DHSC statement said: "We have already consulted on banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s due to negative impacts on children's physical and mental health.

"A healthier nation will mean less pressure on our NHS, a healthier economy and a happier society. "

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