Children who regularly consume sugar-sweetened beverages and large amounts of fruit juice may be at greater risk of developing high blood pressure later in adulthood, according to a new study published in the American Heart Association’s flagship journal, Circulation.

The researchers found that dietary habits established in childhood could have lasting effects on cardiovascular health, with frequent consumption of soda, sports drinks and fruit juice associated with a higher likelihood of developing hypertension decades later.

The study, which followed more than 25,000 participants for up to 25 years, reported that children who consumed two or more servings of sugar-sweetened beverages daily had a 52 per cent higher risk of developing high blood pressure in adulthood compared with those who drank fewer than three servings per week.

Senior author of the study, Dr Vasanti Malik, said dietary patterns established early in life could have long-term health consequences. She noted that high blood pressure is increasingly being diagnosed among younger adults as well as children and adolescents, underscoring the need for early prevention and healthier eating habits.

According to the researchers, each daily serving of soda was associated with a 23 per cent higher risk of high blood pressure, while every daily serving of sports drinks was linked to a 36 per cent higher risk.

The study also found that participants who consumed one-and-a-half or more servings of fruit juice daily had a 35 per cent greater risk of developing hypertension than those who drank less than one serving per week.

While orange juice was associated with a 20 per cent increase in risk for each daily serving, the researchers cautioned that some participants may have mistakenly reported sugar-sweetened orange-flavoured drinks as orange juice.

The researchers said the association between sugary drinks, fruit juice and high blood pressure persisted even after accounting for overall diet quality, physical activity, smoking and other lifestyle factors.

Using statistical substitution models, the team estimated that replacing one daily serving of a sugar-sweetened beverage with whole fruit could reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure by 22 per cent.

Similarly, replacing one daily serving of fruit juice with whole fruit was associated with a 19 per cent lower risk, while substituting sugary drinks with milk or water was linked to as much as a 13 per cent reduction in risk.

However, replacing fruit juice with milk or water did not significantly change the likelihood of developing high blood pressure.

Malik advised that sugar-sweetened beverages, including soda and sports drinks, should be consumed sparingly despite being marketed in some cases as healthier options.

She said fruit juice may be harmless when consumed in small amounts but could become harmful at higher levels of intake, adding that even 100 per cent fruit juice should be taken in moderation while whole fruits should be prioritised.