Digestible carbohydrates from sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and fruit juices pose a risk to children aged one to four, a new evaluation has claimed.
Digestible carbohydrate consumption in liquid form at a young age can cause health issues later in life, compared with solid forms, a study evaluation published in the Nutrition Reviews has found.
Drinking SSBs at a young age is more likely to lead to obesity, the research found.
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Conversely, non-digestible carbohydrate consumption, such as dietary fibre, at a young age can be beneficial later in life, particularly on a child’s lipid profile.
The paper follows a US study arguing children aged between five and 18 should consume mainly water and plain pasteurised milk.
While links between SSBs and weight gain were made, researchers pointed out additional analysis was required to better asses impacts on cognitive, bowel and gut health.
“Our review highlights the critical importance of early dietary choices,” said Dr Maryam Rakhshandehroo, senior scientist in the nutrition and metabolism and nutrients team at Danone Research.
“While fibres, with fruit being a key source, have the potential to mediate positive health outcomes, fruit juices and sugar-sweetened beverages may have adverse effects on long-term health.”
How bad are fruit juices for toddlers?
Dr Bartlomiej Zalewski cautioned against children consuming digestible carbohydrates, through sugary drinks and fruit juices as, “they can harm children’s health now and in the future”.
The study also found knowledge and data gaps existed on how different carbohydrates influence other positive and negative health outcomes in the toddler age group.
Dietary fibre v digestible carbohydrates
Digestible carbohydrates – the risks: Early consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and fruit juices was associated with unfavorable later outcomes, including increased BMI and altered body composition.
Dietary fibre – the benefits: Higher intake of non-digestible carbohydrates, also known as dietary fiber and mainly found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, showed potential benefits for later lipid profiles, though further research is needed.
The study was compiled through the evaluation of 31 publications, including 20 cohort studies and two randomised controlled trials.
Researchers used the data to analyse how carbohydrate intake in early childhood – children aged one to four – affects growth, metabolic parameters and risks of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease.
UNESDA director general Nicholas Hodac said the guidelines for toddlers advised that milk or water, in addition to breast milk, should constitute the majority of drinks given to children aged one to five.
“The European soft drinks sector, represented by UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe, is taking its responsibility in promoting balanced diets from an early age through our longstanding voluntary commitments, he continued”.
“We do not advertise and market soft drinks to children under 13 years across all media when at least 30% of the audience is composed of children (since 2006). We have also been committed to acting responsibly in EU schools since 2006, including by not selling soft drinks in primary schools – through direct distribution.”
Source: ILSI Europe Systematic Review: The Impact of Digestible and Nondigestible Carbohydrate Consumption for Toddlers (1–4 Years) in Relation to Health Outcomes
Published online: 5 February 2025
DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuae212
Authors: Bartlomiej M Zalewski, Gisela A Weiss, Cristina Campoy et al.
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