A systematic review and meta-analysis, recently published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, reveals that teenagers regularly consuming sugary drinks face a 34% increased risk of developing anxiety disorders. The research incorporated studies from 2000 to 2025, focusing on adolescents aged 10 to 19 years. However, the authors caution that the studies included were observational, indicating only an association rather than a direct causal relationship.

The review identifies high sugary beverage consumption as a potentially modifiable risk factor for anxiety disorders among adolescents. This highlights the importance of lifestyle choices in adolescent mental health. It's suggested that increased sugary drink consumption might be both a symptom and a contributing factor to anxiety, implying a complex relationship where both may affect each other.

Additionally, the study suggests that other common factors, such as family issues and sleep disturbances, may exacerbate both anxiety and sugary beverage consumption. This underscores the need for a broader understanding of the environmental and psychological contexts influencing adolescents' dietary and mental health choices.