The impact of sugar-sweetened beverages consumption on constipation: evidence from NHANES

Abstract Background The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has increased substantially over recent decades, raising concerns about its various physiological effects on bodily function. However, the relationship between SSBs intake and constipation remains insufficiently understood. Meth...

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Main Authors: Xiaotong Zhang, Min Liu, Yuping Wang, Ya Zheng, Yongning Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22265-7
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author Xiaotong Zhang
Min Liu
Yuping Wang
Ya Zheng
Yongning Zhou
author_facet Xiaotong Zhang
Min Liu
Yuping Wang
Ya Zheng
Yongning Zhou
author_sort Xiaotong Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has increased substantially over recent decades, raising concerns about its various physiological effects on bodily function. However, the relationship between SSBs intake and constipation remains insufficiently understood. Methods Data from 7,979 participants sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed in this study. Dietary intake of SSBs was assessed using two 24-hour dietary recall interviews, and constipation was defined according to the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) Cards. We employed weighted logistic regression analysis to examine the relationship between SSBs consumption (quantified in grams and kilocalories) and the risk of constipation, while stratified and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses explored population variability. Results After adjusting for all relevant variables, SSBs quantified in grams (SSBs-grams) (ORQ3 vs. Q1 = 1.419, 95% CI: 1.064–1.893, p = 0.019; p for trend = 0.02) and SSBs quantified in kilocalories (SSBs-kcal) (ORQ4 vs. Q1 = 1.567, 95% CI: 1.100-2.234, p = 0.015; p for trend = 0.016) showed a significant positive association with constipation. Furthermore, the weighted RCS and stratified analyses indicated that the association varied among subgroups, with a non-linear relationship between SSBs-kcal and constipation (SSBs-grams: p non-linear = 0.100, SSBs-kcal: p non-linear = 0.026). Conclusions Our findings indicated that increased SSBs consumption is associated with a higher risk of constipation. The results underscore the need for public health interventions aimed at reducing the intake of SSBs and promoting healthier alternatives.
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spelling doaj-art-177ce2da322140279fcebaed1e267c4d2025-08-20T02:49:01ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-03-0125111210.1186/s12889-025-22265-7The impact of sugar-sweetened beverages consumption on constipation: evidence from NHANESXiaotong Zhang0Min Liu1Yuping Wang2Ya Zheng3Yongning Zhou4The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou UniversityDepartment of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou UniversityDepartment of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou UniversityDepartment of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou UniversityDepartment of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou UniversityAbstract Background The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has increased substantially over recent decades, raising concerns about its various physiological effects on bodily function. However, the relationship between SSBs intake and constipation remains insufficiently understood. Methods Data from 7,979 participants sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed in this study. Dietary intake of SSBs was assessed using two 24-hour dietary recall interviews, and constipation was defined according to the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) Cards. We employed weighted logistic regression analysis to examine the relationship between SSBs consumption (quantified in grams and kilocalories) and the risk of constipation, while stratified and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses explored population variability. Results After adjusting for all relevant variables, SSBs quantified in grams (SSBs-grams) (ORQ3 vs. Q1 = 1.419, 95% CI: 1.064–1.893, p = 0.019; p for trend = 0.02) and SSBs quantified in kilocalories (SSBs-kcal) (ORQ4 vs. Q1 = 1.567, 95% CI: 1.100-2.234, p = 0.015; p for trend = 0.016) showed a significant positive association with constipation. Furthermore, the weighted RCS and stratified analyses indicated that the association varied among subgroups, with a non-linear relationship between SSBs-kcal and constipation (SSBs-grams: p non-linear = 0.100, SSBs-kcal: p non-linear = 0.026). Conclusions Our findings indicated that increased SSBs consumption is associated with a higher risk of constipation. The results underscore the need for public health interventions aimed at reducing the intake of SSBs and promoting healthier alternatives.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22265-7Sugar-sweetened beveragesSoft drinksConstipationNHANES
spellingShingle Xiaotong Zhang
Min Liu
Yuping Wang
Ya Zheng
Yongning Zhou
The impact of sugar-sweetened beverages consumption on constipation: evidence from NHANES
BMC Public Health
Sugar-sweetened beverages
Soft drinks
Constipation
NHANES
title The impact of sugar-sweetened beverages consumption on constipation: evidence from NHANES
title_full The impact of sugar-sweetened beverages consumption on constipation: evidence from NHANES
title_fullStr The impact of sugar-sweetened beverages consumption on constipation: evidence from NHANES
title_full_unstemmed The impact of sugar-sweetened beverages consumption on constipation: evidence from NHANES
title_short The impact of sugar-sweetened beverages consumption on constipation: evidence from NHANES
title_sort impact of sugar sweetened beverages consumption on constipation evidence from nhanes
topic Sugar-sweetened beverages
Soft drinks
Constipation
NHANES
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22265-7
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