It’s Official ... Pop Makes Your Teen Snap

By Candace Walsh

Teens who drink one or more glasses of soda a day have higher rates of mental distress, behavior problems, hyperactivity, depression, anxiety, and lethargy, according to a recent Norwegian study published in the American Journal of Public Health.

Sugar’s the main offender here. The slump that comes after a sugar high, aka “reactive hypoglycemia,” is characterized by lethargy, depression, and anxiety—and kids are affected accordingly. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter linked to the regulation of mood, is also thrown off by the blood-sugar roller coaster that soda kicks into gear. Sorry, but diet soda is not the solution—despite industry claims, sugar substitutes such as aspartame, saccharine, and sucralose have not been proven safe in any long-term studies.

Kids who drink a lot of soda also eat less, trading nutrient-dense calories for empty ones. Put juice mixed with sparkling water and herbal iced teas on the table instead.

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