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Association between soft drink consumption and depression mediated by gut microbiome: a perspective
1Department of Public Health, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi, Kerala, India.
Summary
Regular soft drink consumption is linked to a higher risk of depression, potentially through gut microbiome changes. Limiting sugar-sweetened beverages may support mental health.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Psychiatry
- Microbiome Research
- Public Health
Background:
- Growing evidence links diet to mental health.
- The gut microbiome's role in the gut-brain axis is increasingly recognized.
- Soft drink consumption is a widespread dietary habit.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize evidence on the soft drink-depression association.
- To explore the gut microbiome as a mediating mechanism.
- To inform public health and clinical strategies.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar.
- Inclusion of peer-reviewed articles (2000-2025) on human participants (N≥50).
- Analysis of studies measuring soft drink intake and depression outcomes.
Main Results:
- Consistent association found between soft drink consumption and increased depression risk.
- Artificially sweetened beverages showed less consistent associations.
- A cohort study indicated soft drink intake predicted major depressive disorder, especially in women, with partial mediation by *Eggerthella*.
Conclusions:
- Soft drink consumption elevates depression risk via inflammation, metabolic issues, and gut microbiome alterations.
- Interventions to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage intake are recommended for mental health.
- Dietary assessment and counseling are crucial for depression prevention and treatment.
Keywords:
Brain-gut axisDepressionDietGastrointestinal microbiomeMental healthSugar-sweetened beveragesMore Related Videos
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