The researchers are careful to call these findings associations, not proof of causation. That distinction matters. It’s possible the relationship runs in reverse, that anxious people reach for sugary drinks as a coping mechanism, rather than the drinks driving the anxiety. Confounding factors like sleep deprivation, chronic stress, and socioeconomic pressures could be influencing both variables simultaneously.
Those Who Drink More Sugary Beverages Show 34% Higher Anxiety
