Researchers studied 500 Indonesian teenagers and young adults to understand how sugary soft drinks affect blood pressure. They discovered that soft drinks don’t directly raise blood pressure by themselves. Instead, they work through three hidden pathways: they cause weight gain, increase a waste product in the blood called uric acid, and trigger inflammation in the body. All three of these changes together can lead to higher blood pressure. The study suggests that helping young people drink less soda and eat healthier foods could prevent heart problems later in life.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How drinking soft drinks and eating fast food affects blood pressure in teenagers and young adults, and what happens inside the body to cause this effect
  • Who participated: 500 young people aged 10-24 years old from different regions across Indonesia, representing the country’s major ethnic groups
  • Key finding: Soft drinks raise blood pressure indirectly by causing weight gain, increasing uric acid levels, and triggering body inflammation. Body weight was the strongest factor, with each unit increase in BMI linked to higher blood pressure
  • What it means for you: Reducing soft drink consumption may help prevent high blood pressure in young people, especially when combined with maintaining a healthy weight. This is particularly important because high blood pressure in teens often leads to heart disease later in life. However, this study shows correlation, not definitive cause-and-effect, so lifestyle changes should be discussed with a healthcare provider

The Research Details

This was a nationwide cross-sectional study, which means researchers collected information from 500 young people at one point in time across Indonesia. Participants answered detailed questions about what they ate and drank using a food frequency questionnaire. Researchers then measured their height and weight to calculate BMI, took blood samples to check uric acid levels and measure inflammation markers (specifically the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio), and measured their blood pressure. The researchers used statistical methods called structural equation modeling to trace the pathways showing how soft drinks lead to blood pressure changes through weight gain, uric acid buildup, and inflammation.

Understanding the biological pathways is crucial because it shows us exactly how soft drinks harm the body. Rather than just saying ‘soft drinks are bad,’ this research reveals the step-by-step process: soft drinks → weight gain → uric acid buildup and inflammation → high blood pressure. This knowledge helps doctors and nurses create better prevention programs and helps young people understand why reducing soda matters for their long-term health.

This study has several strengths: it included a large sample of 500 participants from across Indonesia, representing different ethnic groups, which makes findings more generalizable. The researchers measured actual blood samples and clinical measurements rather than relying only on self-reported data. However, because this is a cross-sectional study (snapshot in time), we cannot prove that soft drinks definitely cause high blood pressure—only that they’re associated. The study also cannot determine if the effects differ between males and females or across different uric acid levels, as these differences were not statistically significant

What the Results Show

The average systolic blood pressure among participants was 110.84 mmHg. Soft drink consumption showed strong correlations with uric acid levels, body weight (BMI), and blood pressure (all statistically significant at p<0.001, meaning there’s less than a 0.1% chance these relationships occurred by random chance). Body mass index was the strongest independent predictor of blood pressure, with each unit increase in BMI associated with a 0.36 unit increase in blood pressure. The combination of soft drink and fast food consumption together had an additional effect, with a coefficient of 0.27. Most importantly, the research found a significant indirect pathway: soft drinks increased blood pressure through three mechanisms working together—weight gain, uric acid buildup, and inflammation markers (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio). This indirect effect was statistically significant (p<0.05), meaning it’s unlikely to have occurred by chance.

The study found that the effects of fast food and soft drink consumption on weight and inflammation did not differ significantly between males and females, suggesting these harmful pathways affect both genders similarly. Additionally, the effects did not vary based on baseline uric acid levels, indicating that the mechanism works consistently across different groups. These findings suggest that prevention strategies should be applied universally to all young people rather than targeting specific subgroups.

This research builds on existing knowledge that soft drinks and fast food are linked to obesity and high blood pressure in young people. However, it advances our understanding by identifying the specific biological mechanisms—weight gain, uric acid accumulation, and inflammation—that explain how this connection works. Previous studies often showed these associations without explaining the ‘why’ behind them. This study also focuses on an understudied population (Indonesian adolescents and young adults), filling a gap in global research on youth hypertension in Southeast Asia.

This study is a snapshot in time, so we cannot prove that soft drinks cause high blood pressure—only that they’re associated. The study cannot determine cause-and-effect relationships. Additionally, dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire, which relies on participants remembering what they ate and may not be perfectly accurate. The study did not measure all possible inflammatory markers or metabolic factors that might be involved. Finally, results are specific to Indonesian youth and may not apply equally to other populations with different genetic backgrounds, dietary patterns, or healthcare systems

The Bottom Line

Young people should reduce soft drink consumption as part of a healthy lifestyle strategy to prevent high blood pressure. This recommendation has moderate confidence because the study shows clear associations and plausible biological mechanisms, though it’s not a randomized controlled trial (the gold standard). Maintaining a healthy weight is particularly important, as it was the strongest factor linked to blood pressure. Regular physical activity, limiting fast food, and eating more fruits and vegetables should accompany reduced soda intake. Blood pressure screening during routine health checkups is recommended for all adolescents and young adults, especially those who consume high amounts of soft drinks or fast food

All adolescents and young adults should pay attention to this research, particularly those who regularly drink soft drinks or eat fast food. Parents and educators should use this information to encourage healthier beverage choices in schools and homes. Healthcare providers should discuss these findings with young patients, especially those with elevated blood pressure or weight concerns. This is less relevant for people who already maintain healthy diets and normal blood pressure, though the findings support continuing those healthy habits. People with existing high blood pressure or heart conditions should definitely discuss dietary changes with their doctor

Changes in blood pressure from reducing soft drink consumption typically take weeks to months to become noticeable. Weight loss, if needed, usually takes several weeks to months depending on how much change occurs. Uric acid levels and inflammation markers may improve within weeks to months of dietary changes. However, preventing future heart disease is a long-term benefit that develops over years. Young people should expect gradual improvements rather than immediate dramatic changes

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily soft drink and sugary beverage consumption (number of servings per day) alongside weekly blood pressure readings if available. Users can set a goal to reduce soft drink intake by 25-50% over 4-8 weeks and monitor if blood pressure trends downward
  • Replace one soft drink per day with water, unsweetened tea, or other sugar-free beverages. Users can log this substitution in the app and track streaks of days without sugary drinks. The app could send reminders when users typically consume soft drinks and suggest healthier alternatives
  • Establish a baseline by recording current soft drink consumption and blood pressure (if accessible through connected devices). Set monthly check-ins to review trends in beverage choices and blood pressure readings. Track weight monthly as an intermediate marker. Create a dashboard showing the connection between reduced soda intake and improvements in these health markers over 3-6 months

This research shows associations between soft drink consumption and blood pressure in Indonesian youth but does not prove direct causation. Individual responses to dietary changes vary. Young people with existing high blood pressure, obesity, or other health conditions should consult with their healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes or starting any health intervention program. This information is educational and should not replace professional medical advice. Blood pressure should be monitored by qualified healthcare professionals using appropriate equipment. Parents and guardians should supervise dietary changes in children under 18 years old