A new study published today in the American Heart Association's flagship journal Circulation reveals that consuming fruit juice and sugar-sweetened beverages from childhood into adulthood may increase the risk of developing high blood pressure later in life. The research, spanning 25 years, analyzed data from over 25,000 participants in the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS), which followed children aged 9 to 16 into adulthood.
Participants who drank two or more servings of sugar-sweetened beverages per day had a 52% higher risk of developing high blood pressure compared to those who consumed less than three servings a week. Among sugary drink subtypes, each daily serving of soda was associated with a 23% higher risk, and sports drinks with a 36% higher risk. Fruit juice also posed risks: those who drank 1.5 or more servings per day had a 35% higher risk compared to those who drank less than one serving a week. Specifically, each daily serving of orange juice was linked to a 20% higher risk.
Senior study author Vasanti Malik, Sc.D., M.Sc., an associate professor at the University of Toronto, emphasized that dietary habits in early life can have lasting health consequences. High blood pressure is emerging earlier in life, with growing rates in younger adults, children, and adolescents, highlighting the importance of early prevention.
The study also found that substituting one serving per day of sugary beverages with whole fruit was associated with a 22% lower risk of developing high blood pressure. Similarly, replacing fruit juice with whole fruit resulted in a 19% lower risk. Substituting sugary drinks with milk or water was linked to up to a 13% lower risk, though no significant benefit was found for replacing fruit juice with milk or water.
These associations were independent of overall diet quality, physical activity, and other factors. The findings support the American Heart Association's 2026 Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health, which recommends minimizing added sugars in beverages and foods.
Amit Khera, M.D., FAHA, vice-chair of the dietary guidance writing committee, noted that the study adds new insights by focusing on childhood and the importance of health behaviors early in life. He highlighted that total fructose intake seems less important than the source, with sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit juice increasing risk while whole fruit does not.
The study's limitations include self-reported dietary intake and blood pressure diagnoses, and the predominantly white participant population may limit generalizability. However, Khera noted that non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic American populations have the highest sugar-sweetened beverage intake, making these findings particularly relevant for those groups.
The American Heart Association advocates for policies to reduce sugary drink consumption, including taxes, improved school meal standards, and enhanced nutrition in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Complete details of the study, including author disclosures and funding, are available in the manuscript published online.
