A long-term study has found that frequent consumption of sugary beverages during childhood may significantly increase the risk of developing high blood pressure in later life, raising fresh concerns about early dietary habits and long-term heart health.

The findings, reported by researchers cited by the American Heart Association, highlight that children who regularly consume soft drinks, fruit juices, and other sugar-sweetened beverages face a higher likelihood of hypertension in young adulthood and middle age. The results underscore how early nutrition choices can shape long-term cardiovascular outcomes.

The research followed more than 25,000 individuals aged 9 to 16 over a 25-year period. It found that those who drank two or more 12-ounce (approximately 355 ml) sugary beverages daily had a 52% higher risk of developing high blood pressure compared to those who consumed such drinks less than three times per week.

Health risks and expert warning

Hypertension occurs when blood exerts excessive pressure on artery walls, increasing the risk of heart disease, kidney problems, stroke, and cognitive decline, including dementia. According to the American Heart Association, more than 125 million adults in the United States are currently living with high blood pressure.

Experts from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have emphasized that dietary patterns established in early life can have lasting effects on health. Researchers also noted that hypertension is increasingly being diagnosed at younger ages, including among adolescents and young adults, highlighting the importance of early prevention and screening.

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