A 25-year study of nearly 26,000 youth reveals that frequent intake of soda, sports drinks, and fruit juice in childhood significantly increases the risk of developing high blood pressure as adults, highlighting long-term health implications of early dietary habits.
A long-running study suggests that children who regularly drink sugary beverages may face a higher risk of high blood pressure later in life, adding to concerns about the long-term effects of early eating habits.
The research, which followed nearly 26,000 young people for 25 years, found that frequent consumption of soda, sports drinks and fruit juice from childhood into adulthood was linked with a greater chance of developing hypertension. According to the study published in JAMA, those with the highest intake had the strongest risk, even after other factors were taken into account.
The findings fit with earlier research showing that sugar-sweetened drinks can affect blood pressure in children and adolescents. A review published in the Journal of Translational Medicine found that high intake of these drinks was associated with a modest rise in systolic blood pressure and a higher likelihood of hypertension. Other studies have also linked sugary beverages to changes in cardiovascular and nervous system activity in younger people.
Vasanti Malik, the senior author and an associate professor at the University of Toronto, said: “Dietary habits in early life can have lasting health consequences,” underscoring the message that beverage choices made in childhood may influence health well into adulthood. The American Heart Association has said that replacing sugary drinks with water, milk or whole fruit can meaningfully reduce that risk.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
