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Age-specific beverage consumption and its association with depression and anxiety disorders: A prospective cohort study in 188,355 participants
Eating patterns are linked to mental well-being, a factor that is increasingly recognized as a standalone risk for various health outcomes. While there is growing evidence about how diet affects mental health, less is known about the role specific beverages play, particularly across different age groups. This study by Xie et al. (2025) explores the relationship between six common types of drinks and the development of depression and anxiety. The analysis used data from 188,355 participants in the UK Biobank who were initially free of depression and anxiety and had completed at least one dietary questionnaire. During an average follow-up of 11.15 years, 6,445 people had anxiety, and 5,884 participants experienced depression. Frequent use of sugar-sweetened and artificially-sweetened drinks (more than one serving per day) was linked to a higher risk of depression in people under 60. In contrast, drinking pure fruit or vegetable juices (PiSs) and coffee was linked to a lower risk. Higher consumption of PiSs and coffee was linked to a lower incidence of anxiety and risk of depression among individuals 60 years of age and older. Additionally, replacing SSBs with PiSs or coffee was tied to improved mental health outcomes in those under 60, while replacing PiSs or coffee with milk showed consistent mental health benefits in those over 60. These findings highlight that different beverages have varying impacts on mental health depending on age. Making informed beverage choices may play a role in reducing the risk of depression and anxiety across the lifespan. [NPID: Mental health, beverage consumption, depression, anxiety, age-specific risk, sugar-sweetened beverages, coffee, fruit juice, milk substitution, dietary habits]
Year: 2025
