A new study published in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation found that consuming sugary drinks and fruit juice during childhood and adolescence is associated with a higher risk of developing high blood pressure in adulthood. The research, which followed more than 25,000 participants for up to 25 years, highlights the long-term consequences of early dietary habits.
Senior study author Vasanti Malik, Sc.D., M.Sc., an associate professor at the University of Toronto, noted that "dietary habits in early life can have lasting health consequences." High blood pressure is increasingly appearing in younger populations, emphasizing the need for early prevention. The study used data from the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS), which included children ages 9 to 16 at baseline. Participants reported their intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (sodas, sports drinks, fruit punches), fruit juice, and whole fruits through food frequency questionnaires every 1 to 4 years.
Key results showed that those who drank two or more servings of sugar-sweetened beverages per day had a 52% higher risk of developing high blood pressure compared to those consuming less than three servings per week. Each daily serving of soda was linked to a 23% higher risk, and sports drinks to a 36% higher risk. For fruit juice, drinking 1.5 or more servings per day was associated with a 35% higher risk compared to less than one serving per week. Notably, each daily serving of orange juice was linked to a 20% higher risk, though misclassification of orange-flavored drinks may have occurred.
The substitution analysis provided actionable insights: replacing a daily serving of sugary beverage with whole fruit was associated with a 22% lower risk of high blood pressure, and replacing fruit juice with whole fruit resulted in a 19% lower risk. Substituting sugary drinks with milk or water was linked to up to a 13% lower risk. These associations were independent of overall diet quality, physical activity, and other factors.
American Heart Association volunteer expert Amit Khera, M.D., FAHA, commented that the findings reinforce the importance of health behaviors in childhood for adult risk factor development. He noted that "the total amount of fructose seems less important than the type of food where it is consumed," as whole fruit did not increase risk. The study population was mostly white, but Khera highlighted that non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic populations have higher sugary drink intake, making these findings especially relevant for those groups.
The American Heart Association advocates for policies to reduce sugary drink consumption, including taxes, improved school meal standards, and better nutrition in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The association's 2026 Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health emphasizes minimizing added sugars. Limitations of the study include reliance on self-reported data and the inability to prove causation. However, the long follow-up and large sample size strengthen the evidence linking early beverage choices to adult hypertension.
For more information on reducing sugary drinks, visit the American Heart Association's Rethink Your Drink resource.
