Childhood sugary drink intake linked to higher adult hypertension risk

A 25‑year longitudinal study tracking more than 25,000 participants from ages 9 to 16 found a clear association between regular consumption of sugary drinks in childhood and elevated risk of hypertension in adulthood. The researchers, from the University of Toronto and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, reported that children who drank two or more servings of sugar‑sweetened beverages per day had a 52% higher chance of developing high blood pressure later in life.

Frequent intake of fruit juices also increased risk, with 1.5 or more daily servings raising hypertension odds by 35%, and each additional serving of orange juice adding about a 20% increase. In contrast, consumption of whole fresh fruit showed no link to hypertension, likely due to its fiber and nutrient matrix. Sports drinks were found to pose a similar risk to regular sodas. The study suggests replacing sugary drinks with water, milk, or whole fruit to markedly lower the long‑term hypertension risk. Findings were published in the journal *Circulation* and support upcoming dietary guidance aimed at reducing added sugar intake from beverages.