Sugar intake is associated with increased odds of depression and anxiety: Evidence from a cross-sectional study
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Background and Aims
The current study aimed to assess the associations between (i) total and specific sugar intake, (ii) dietary exposures that met Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) selection criteria for risk factors, and depression and anxiety.
Methods
In this online cross-sectional study that took place between 2022-2024 in the United Kingdom, 377 participants between the ages of 18-66 years (M=26.09; SD=8.48) completed the: EPIC-Norfolk Food Frequency Questionnaire from which overall sugar intake, specific sugar intake (fructose, galactose, glucose, lactose, maltose, and sucrose) and GBD dietary exposures were derived; and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales from which likely depression and anxiety cases were identified.
Results
The prevalence of depression and anxiety was 12.5% and 16.4%, respectively. Separate logistic regression models assessing the associations between dietary intake and depression) and anxiety revealed that total sugar intake was associated with greater odds of depression (OR: 1.01, 95%CI 1.00 to 1.02) and anxiety (OR: 1.01, 95%CI 1.01 to 1.02). Specifically, higher sucrose intake was associated with greater odds of anxiety (OR: 1.02, 95%CI 1.00 to 1.05), while higher intake of sugar-sweetened beverages was associated with increased odds of both depression (OR: 1.00, 95%CI 1.00 to 1.01) and anxiety (OR: 1.00, 95%CI 1.00 to 1.01).
Conclusion
While higher overall sugar intake was associated with both depression and anxiety, sucrose intake emerged as a specific factor associated with increased odds of anxiety, and higher sugar-sweetened beverages intake with depression and anxiety, warranting further investigation into their potential role in mental health outcomes.
