High intake of soft drinks may tilt the odds of suffering from mental health problems against an individual.
This study assessed the relationship between the intake of soft drinks and the prevalence of mental health problems among adults in Australia. The study population consisted of over 4,000 persons aged 16 and above from Southern Australia who participated in telephone interviews.
The research team observed that the chances of suffering mental health problems, such as depression, psychological distress, suicide ideation, and stress-related problems, were far higher among high consumers of soft drinks. A 60% increase in the likelihood of acquiring a mental health problem was found among individuals who drank more than half a liter of soft drink per day. The results of this study show that fondness for soft drinks may contribute to the rising rates of mental health problems worldwide.