Most Savvy Aunties know that regular soft drinks are high in sugar, causing health challenges for nieces and nephews who overindulge.  But research published on Monday revealed that soft drinks may have other side effects, especially for teenagers.

The study, published to Injury Prevention, showed that high consumption of carbonated, non-diet soft drinks correlated with a significant 9-15% greater likelihood that teens would engage in aggressive behavior, and had about the same effect as tobacco and alcohol use. The study controlled for age, sex, race, BMI (Body Mass Index), sleep patterns and having family dinners.

Teenagers studied that drank more than five 12-oz. cans of soft drinks each week were more likely to carry a weapon and commit violence against friends, dates, and siblings. In fact, nearly 50% of teens studied who drank 14 or more cans of soft drinks per week were violent to children in their families.

Dr. Hemenway, the study’s lead author, notes that the results are not conclusive, but that it does lead to some further interesting questions. The study was supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, though not all doctors are impressed with the study design or results.

Conclusive or not, it will be easy for Aunties to take precautions with their teenaged nieces and nephews.  If your nieces and nephews spend a lot of time at your home, try to stock up on water bottles, teas, and fruit juices in order to prevent them from drinking soda. As teens are old enough to understand the results of the study, perhaps showing the numbers to them will convince your nieces and nephews to give up carbonated soft drinks altogether.


Published: October 26, 2011