United States — A new long-term study is raising fresh concerns about the drinks many children consume every day, with researchers finding that regularly drinking sugary beverages during childhood may significantly increase the risk of developing high blood pressure later in life.
The research, published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation, suggests that dietary habits formed at a young age can have lasting effects on cardiovascular health well into adulthood.
Health experts say the findings reinforce the importance of encouraging healthier beverage choices early in life as cases of high blood pressure continue to appear in younger age groups.
Study Followed Thousands of Participants for Up to 25 Years
The research analyzed data from the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS), which included 25,749 participants who completed health and dietary questionnaires every one to four years.
Some participants remained in the study for as long as 25 years, allowing researchers to examine how childhood eating and drinking habits affected long-term health.
The questionnaires asked participants how often they consumed soft drinks, lemonade, sweetened tea, sports drinks and fruit juice, while also collecting information on body measurements, physical activity and smoking habits.
Researchers found that people who consumed more than two servings of sugary beverages each day had a 52% higher risk of developing high blood pressure compared with those who drank fewer than three servings per week.
Different Drinks Carried Different Levels of Risk
The study also found that not all sugary beverages were associated with the same level of risk.
Researchers reported that:
- Daily soft drink consumption was linked to a 23% higher risk of developing high blood pressure.
- One sports drink each day was associated with a 36% higher risk.
- More than 1.5 servings of fruit juice daily was linked to a 35% higher risk, compared with drinking less than one serving each week.
For the study, one serving was defined as an eight-ounce glass.
While 100% fruit juice can provide nutrients, researchers cautioned that consuming large amounts may still contribute to long-term health concerns.
Experts Recommend Choosing Whole Fruit Instead
Researchers estimated that replacing one daily serving of a sugary beverage with a serving of whole fruit could reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure by about 22%.
Senior study author Professor Vasanti Malik, an associate professor at the University of Toronto and public nutrition expert, said healthy habits established early in life can have lasting benefits.
“Dietary habits in early life can have lasting health consequences.”
She also noted that high blood pressure is increasingly being diagnosed in younger people.
“High blood pressure is also emerging earlier in life, with growing rates being seen in younger adults, in children and adolescents, which highlights the importance of early detection and prevention.”
Professor Malik encouraged families to limit sugary drinks whenever possible.
“Sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soda and sports drinks, which are often marketed as somewhat healthy, should be limited. Fruit juice intake may be harmless at low levels yet harmful at higher intake levels.”
“They should always be 100 per cent fruit juice, and even so, consumed only in moderation. Whole fruit should be emphasised over sugary beverages.”
Researchers Say More Studies Are Still Needed
Although the findings reveal a strong association, the researchers emphasized that the study does not prove sugary drinks directly cause high blood pressure.
Because the research relied on participants’ questionnaires and self-reported diagnoses, other lifestyle or environmental factors may also have influenced the results.
Even so, the study adds to growing evidence that reducing sugary beverage consumption during childhood may play an important role in supporting long-term heart health.
Do you think schools and parents should do more to reduce children’s access to sugary drinks? Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments below.
