Sugar-sweetened beverages consumption and the risk of depression in youth: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

In 30 seconds

This systematic review and meta-analysis pooled observational evidence on sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and depression in youth. It included 19 articles comprising 26 independent studies and 275,168 participants, with an average age of 16.1 years (range 11-25). Overall, SSB consumption was associated with higher odds of depression (OR = 1.28, 95%CI = 1.16-1.41), but estimates differed by design: the association was statistically significant in cross-sectional studies and not in cohort studies. The findings therefore do not establish that SSB consumption causes depression.

Key findings

• Across all included studies, the pooled association was OR = 1.28, 95%CI = 1.16-1.41; I 2 = 94.3%.
• Cross-sectional studies showed a significant association (OR = 1.33, 95%CI = 1.18-1.50; I 2 = 94.5%).
• Cohort studies did not show a statistically significant association (OR = 1.13, 95%CI = 0.97-1.31; I 2 = 69.1%).
• Region, exposure measurement, outcome type, and cohort follow-up period may have contributed to heterogeneity (all P interaction < 0.05).

Why it matters

The overall association may appear clinically relevant, but its dependence on study design is important: cross-sectional findings cannot establish temporal order, and the cohort estimate was not statistically significant. The substantial heterogeneity also indicates that results varied across studies. These findings support cautious interpretation of the observed relationship rather than a causal conclusion.

What to keep in mind

The evidence is observational, with inconsistent findings by study design and substantial heterogeneity, particularly in cross-sectional studies.