Higher Sugary Drink Intake From Childhood May Increase the…

Higher Sugary Drink Intake From Childhood May Increase the Risk of Hypertension, Long-Term Study Suggests Dietary habits established during childhood can have lasting effects on cardiovascular health. A new study published in Circulation suggests that regularly consuming sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit juice from childhood through adulthood may increase the risk of developing hypertension later in life. The findings reinforce current public health recommendations encouraging children and adolescents to limit sugary drinks and choose healthier alternatives. Researchers followed nearly 26,000 children and adolescents aged 9–16 years for up to 25 years. Participants completed dietary and lifestyle questionnaires every one to four years, allowing researchers to assess long-term beverage consumption patterns. During follow-up: Approximately 6% of participants developed hypertension. Individuals with the highe