Study Finds Different Links Between Popular Drinks, Depression & Anxiety

A review of research suggests that drinking certain nonalcoholic beverages may be linked to higher odds of depression and anxiety, although the evidence does not prove that these drinks cause mental health problems.

Published in Depression and Anxiety, the systematic review and meta-analysis included 59 studies involving more than 2 million people across 22 countries. Most studies were moderate quality.

Higher consumption of nonalcoholic beverages was associated with depression. Stronger associations were seen with sugar-sweetened drinks, bubble tea, carbonated beverages, soft drinks, artificially sweetened drinks and energy drinks.

Coffee showed a different pattern. Higher coffee consumption was associated with lower odds of depression, although it was not significantly associated with anxiety. Researchers suggested antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in coffee could partly explain this finding, but the analysis did not test this explanation.

Higher beverage consumption was also associated with anxiety, particularly among people drinking bubble tea and carbonated beverages. The association appeared strongest in children and adolescents, although age-group differences were not always statistically significant.

The picture was less clear for stress. The main analysis found no significant association, but the relationship became significant after researchers removed one study that contributed substantial heterogeneity.

Researchers proposed possible explanations. High-sugar drinks may contribute to blood sugar fluctuations, insulin resistance and inflammation, potentially affecting brain function. High sugar intake may also influence the body's stress-response system. However, these mechanisms were not directly tested.

The researchers stressed that most included studies were cross-sectional, meaning they cannot establish cause and effect. Beverage intake was often self-reported, and factors such as diet, sleep, physical activity and socioeconomic status could also influence mental health.

More large, long-term and intervention studies are needed before specific recommendations about beverage consumption and mental health can confidently be made.

REFERENCE: Ouyang Y. 2026. Nonalcoholic Beverage Consumption and the Risk of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Depression and Anxiety. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/da/7404084