Researchers found that young people who regularly consumed sugar sweetened beverages, including soda, sports drinks and large amounts of fruit juice, were more likely to develop hypertension later in life compared with those who consumed fewer of these drinks.

The findings highlight the importance of encouraging healthier drinking habits early in life, as researchers say behaviours developed during childhood can have long lasting effects on health.

The study was conducted using data from the Growing Up Today Study, a long term research project that has followed thousands of young people in the United States to understand how childhood lifestyle choices affect health outcomes in adulthood.

Researchers followed more than 25,000 participants for up to 25 years, collecting information about their diets, physical activity levels, body measurements and health conditions.

The participants were monitored from their teenage years into adulthood, allowing scientists to examine how early dietary habits were associated with future health risks.

The study found that participants who consumed two or more servings of sugar sweetened beverages every day had a 52 percent higher risk of developing high blood pressure compared with those who drank fewer than three servings per week.

Daily soda consumption was associated with a 23 percent increased risk of hypertension, while regular intake of sports drinks was linked to a 36 percent higher risk.

Researchers also found that people who consumed high amounts of fruit juice faced an increased risk, with those drinking at least one and a half servings daily having a 35 percent higher likelihood of developing high blood pressure.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when the force of blood against artery walls remains consistently high. Over time, the condition can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke and kidney complications.

Researchers explained that the concern is not only the amount of sugar consumed but also the way it enters the body.

Unlike whole fruits, which contain fibre and other nutrients that help regulate sugar absorption, many sweetened beverages contain high levels of added sugar while providing limited nutritional benefits.

Although fruit juice may contain vitamins and minerals, researchers noted that it does not provide the same benefits as eating whole fruits because much of the fibre is removed during processing. Fibre helps slow the release of sugar into the bloodstream and supports better metabolic health.

The study also considered other factors that could influence blood pressure, including body weight, physical activity and overall dietary patterns.

Researchers adjusted their analysis to better understand the relationship between sugary drinks and hypertension while accounting for these other lifestyle factors.

The findings suggested that replacing sugary beverages with healthier options could help reduce future risks.

Researchers found that replacing one daily sugary drink with whole fruit was associated with a 22 percent lower risk of developing high blood pressure, while replacing sugary drinks with water or milk was linked to a reduced risk of up to 13 percent.

However, researchers cautioned that the study does not prove that sugary drinks directly cause high blood pressure. Instead, it shows a strong association between beverage habits during childhood and later health outcomes.

The study also relied partly on participants reporting their own dietary habits and health information, which may affect the accuracy of some responses.

The researchers further noted that most participants were non Hispanic White Americans, meaning additional studies are needed to determine whether similar patterns appear among other populations around the world.

The findings come at a time when health experts are increasingly concerned about rising consumption of sugary beverages among children and the growing burden of diet related diseases.

Developing healthier habits at an early age is considered an important step in preventing conditions such as hypertension, obesity and cardiovascular diseases.

For families, schools and communities, researchers say simple changes such as encouraging children to drink more water, consume whole fruits and reduce sugary beverages could contribute to better health outcomes in the future.

The study’s main message is that childhood choices can shape adult health. By improving diets early in life, communities may help reduce the risk of serious health problems many years later.