Jakarta, ThedailyID — Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon, soda after meals, or an energy drink during overtime can become daily habits.
However, drink choices may affect more than physical health. A recent study found links between certain drinks and depression symptoms.
The findings came from a meta-analysis of 59 studies. The research covered more than 2 million people across 22 countries.
People who drank more coffee had a 13 percent lower likelihood of experiencing depression symptoms. The comparison involved people who drank little or no coffee.
Still, the finding does not mean coffee prevents depression. The research found an association, not a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
Nutrition expert Jennifer Pallian told Medical News Today that coffee contains more than caffeine. It also contains compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant. It can also affect brain chemicals linked to pleasure, motivation, and energy.
Researchers therefore suggest that coffee’s potential mental health effects may involve more than caffeine. Other compounds in coffee could also play a role.
However, the type of drink and its sugar content also matter. The study found a different pattern among several sugary beverages.
Sugar-sweetened drinks showed a link with a higher risk of depression. The same pattern appeared with artificially sweetened drinks, soda, and energy drinks.
Pallian explained that high sugar intake can cause changes in blood sugar levels. It may also relate to inflammatory processes in the body.
Those processes could affect brain function and mood. Still, researchers cannot confirm a cause-and-effect relationship from the available evidence.
For example, sugary drinks might affect mental health. But people experiencing stress or anxiety might also consume more sweet foods and drinks.
Therefore, the findings do not mean people should switch to coffee every day. Instead, people can pay attention to their overall drinking habits.
This includes how often they consume drinks high in sugar or caffeine. Other factors also play a major role in mental health.
Sleep, physical activity, diet, social conditions, genetics, and other factors can all contribute. Drinks are only one small part of everyday habits that people can consider.
