Study Finds Childhood Soda and Juice Boost Adult Hypertension Risk

A longitudinal study of more than 25,000 U.S. youths followed for up to 25 years shows that consuming two or more servings of sugar‑sweetened beverages, including soda, each day from ages around 12 to adulthood raises the risk of developing high blood pressure by 52% later in life. The same elevated risk is seen for fruit‑juice consumption at comparable levels. Researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the University of Toronto linked these findings to measurable arterial changes that persist into the mid‑30s.

The analysis, published in the American Heart Association journal *Circulation*, also modeled the effect of substituting sugary drinks with whole fruit, milk or water, suggesting a potential reduction in hypertension risk. Senior author Vasanti Malik emphasized that “dietary habits in early life can have lasting health consequences,” highlighting the importance of early prevention as high blood pressure begins to appear at younger ages.