Association Between Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption and Psychological Distress: Analysis of the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan

Objective: This study aimed to assess the association between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and psychological distress. Design: This study used a cross-sectional design. Setting: The database from the 2013–2016 Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) was used for this study. Participants: There are 3787 Taiwanese adults aged 19–64 in the NAHSIT database. Measurements: The simplified food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the frequency of SSB intake, and a 24 h dietary recall was used for nutrient calculations. Subsequently, a logistic regression model was used to examine the association between the frequency of SSB consumption and psychological distress. Result: The risk of psychological distress with SSBs consumed 1–6, 7–13, and ≥14 times per week was (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.50–2.04), (aOR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.32–1.84), and (aOR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.64–2.42), respectively. Participants who consumed SSBs ≥14 times per week had a significantly lower intake of whole grains, milk, vegetables, fruits, and nuts and seeds, while their consumption frequency of eggs, dairy products, soybean products, pickled vegetables, meat products, tea, coffee, desserts and snacks, and fried foods was significantly higher. Conclusions: SSB consumption was significantly positively associated with psychological distress. Future interventional studies could further explore the potential directionality of this association.