Sugary drinks are increasing anxiety and restlessness in teenagers; the risk of anxiety is up to 34% higher.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Teenage is a critical period of physical and mental change. Parents often monitor their children's diet to protect them from diseases like obesity or diabetes, but have you ever considered the impact that cold drink, sweetened coffee, or can of energy drink in their hands is having on their minds and brains? Problems like stress and anxiety are rapidly increasing among young people these days, often dismissed as simply "aging effects." Meanwhile, new research suggests that high intakes of sugary drinks increase the risk of anxiety in teenagers by 34%.

What do WHO figures say?

Mental health problems are increasing rapidly among young people worldwide. According to data from the World Health Organization:

• Globally, 1 in 7 (14.3%) adolescents aged 10 to 19 have a mental health problem.
• Unfortunately, these problems often go unrecognized and untreated.
• Depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems are a major cause of illness and disability in adolescents.
• The most worrying thing is that suicide is the third biggest cause of death among youth aged 15 to 29 years.

What does the new research say?

This new study, conducted by researchers at Bournemouth University, has been published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. In this study, the researchers analyzed data from several previous studies and surveys that measured adolescents' eating habits and mental health characteristics. The most striking finding of the study was that teens who consumed sugary drinks had a 34% increased risk of anxiety .

Sugary drinks included in the study

In this study, researchers included drinks that are low in nutrition and high in calories, such as:

• Fizzy Soda
• Energy Drinks
• Sweetened fruit juices and shakes
• Sweet tea and coffee
• Flavored Milk

Not only physical, but mental health is also at risk.

Dr. Chloe Casey, co-author of the study and a lecturer in nutrition, said that to date, most health campaigns have linked poor eating habits solely to physical illnesses (such as obesity and type 2 diabetes). The mental health impact of drinks that are high in energy but lack nutrients has been overlooked.

The researchers clarified that there is a consistent link between drinking sugary drinks and anxiety symptoms. However, since this is a review based on older studies, it doesn't conclusively prove that sugary drinks directly cause anxiety.

Read More: What Not To Do Before Dentist Visit: From heavy makeup to an empty stomach, avoid these 5 mistakes before visiting the dentist.