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Soft Drinks Linked to 8% Higher Depression Risk

10/11/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The study found that each unit of soft drink intake raised odds of major depressive disorder by 8%, especially in women.
The association is partly mediated by Eggerthella, a gut bacterium abundant in women who consume soft drinks.
The study included 405 patients with major depressive disorder and 527 healthy controls.
The authors urge education and policies to curb soft drink use and call for more research to confirm causality.

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Story summary

The study found that each unit of soft drink intake raised odds of major depressive disorder by 8%, especially in women.
The association is partly mediated by Eggerthella, a gut bacterium abundant in women who consume soft drinks.
The study included 405 patients with major depressive disorder and 527 healthy controls.
The authors urge education and policies to curb soft drink use and call for more research to confirm causality.