A new research report confirms that scientists and average folks have suspected for years: Over-consumption of sugar-laden, fizzy drinks can trigger anxiety in teens. And anxiety disorders are becoming more and more common in that age group…
Apart from obesity, heart disease, cancer and diabetes, anxiety is one of the leading causes of illness across society today. And it’s been given relatively short shrift by the medical world. Nevertheless, the level of chatter about anxiety in mainstream and social media has been constantly rising of late.
What they did
Another data-mining study, and a revealing one!
Researchers from several universities, working together in a coordinated effort, analysed the results of 9 recent studies on the issue and came up with some troubling revelations. Their original goal was to explore suspected connections between what we eat and our mental health. What they discover-ed was a clear link between sugary drinks and anxiety in teens.
Among their key findings…
- A comprehensive review published in he Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics identified a link between sugary beverages and increased anxiety in adolescents aged 10 to 19.
- Researchers found that teens who regularly drink sugar-sweetened beverages suffer about 34 percent higher odds of anxiety disorders.
- The findings show correlation, not causation, but researchers say they do highlight a modifiable lifestyle factor.
“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,” Dr. Chloe Casey, a nutrition lecturer and co-author of the study, noted in a statement. “However, the mental health implications of diet have been underexplored by comparison, particularly for drinks that are energy dense but low in nutrients.”
The takeaway
Society has a few options to fight this new health and well-being crisis. We can either ban sugary beverages altogether, restrict their availability by age as we already control alcoholic beverages, or try to ‘turn the ocean liner’, and get teens to drink other stuff. The first two choices probably won’t fly. And if they do, they’ll take some time and effort to implement. However, a recent Food & Wine story offers suggestions pertaining to the latter.
Lower-sugar drink alternatives teens actually like…
“Looking to cut back on sugary drinks without triggering a full-on rebellion? These swaps keep the flavour – minus the overload of added sugar.
- Sparkling water with a splash of juice: Mix plain or fruit-flavoured seltzer with a small pour of 100 percent orange, cranberry, or pineapple juice. It still tastes fun and fizzy, but with far less sugar than soda.
- Fruit-infused water: Add sliced strawberries, citrus, cucumber, or your favourite frozen fruit to a pitcher of cold water. Let it sit in the fridge for an hour, and it picks up natural flavour without any added sweeteners.
- Unsweetened iced tea with fruit or citrus: Black or green tea over ice can feel just as refreshing as soda. If it needs a boost, stir in a little honey or muddled fruit instead of reaching for the sugar bottle.
- Coconut water (no added sugar): Naturally slightly sweet and packed with electrolytes, plain coco-nut water can satisfy the craving for something flavourful — just check the label to avoid versions with added sugar.”
My take
Hmmm… This phenomenon might also account for the recently debunked ‘myth’ that feeding kids sugar makes them hyper. But that’s another topic for another day. And another, parallel research effort?
If the behemoth beverage brands put as much effort and cash into promoting (and selling, of course) healthy fizzy drinks as they do into sugary ones, the world would be a much better place. Parents and their strung-out teens might get along better. And we just might just be able to save kids a few form-ative years of stress, fear and loathing before they enter the real world – where they can’t escape those evils…
~ Maggie J.