A new study published in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation reveals that consuming sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit juice during childhood and adolescence is associated with a higher risk of developing high blood pressure in adulthood. The research, which followed over 25,000 participants for up to 25 years, underscores the long-term health implications of early dietary habits.
Led by Vasanti Malik, Sc.D., an associate professor at the University of Toronto, the study analyzed data from the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS). Participants aged 9 to 16 reported their intake of sugary drinks, fruit juice, and whole fruits via food frequency questionnaires. Over the follow-up period, those who consumed two or more servings of sugar-sweetened beverages daily had a 52% higher risk of developing high blood pressure compared to those who drank less than three servings per week. Among specific beverages, each daily serving of soda was linked to a 23% increased risk, and sports drinks to a 36% increased risk.
Fruit juice also showed significant associations. Drinking 1.5 or more servings per day of fruit juice was associated with a 35% higher risk of high blood pressure. Notably, each daily serving of orange juice was linked to a 20% higher risk, though apple and other juices did not show a significant association. The researchers caution that some orange-flavored drinks with added sugars may have been misclassified as orange juice, potentially affecting results.
Importantly, the study found that substituting one daily serving of sugary beverages with whole fruit was associated with a 22% lower risk of hypertension. Replacing fruit juice with whole fruit yielded a 19% lower risk. Substituting sugary drinks with milk or water was linked to up to a 13% lower risk. These findings were independent of overall diet quality, physical activity, and other factors.
Dr. Amit Khera, director of preventive cardiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, noted that the study clarifies misconceptions about fructose. "Sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit juice relate to increased risk, while whole fruit does not," he said. The American Heart Association's 2026 Dietary Guidance emphasizes minimizing added sugars, and the Association advocates for policies such as taxes on sugary drinks and improved nutrition standards.
The study's limitations include reliance on self-reported data and a predominantly white participant population, which may limit generalizability. However, the findings highlight a critical opportunity for early prevention. As Malik stated, "Dietary habits in early life can have lasting health consequences."
