Frequent Sweetened Beverage Consumption Is Associated With Accelerated Biological Aging: Evidence From a Population‐Based Study and Gut Microbiota Analysis

Although substantial evidence links sweetened beverage (SB) intake to chronic diseases, its association with biological aging and underlying mechanisms remains unclear. This population-based study included 9104 adults aged 18-80 years from the WELL-China cohort. SB consumption was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Biological age and biological age acceleration (BAacc) were estimated using the Klemera and Doubal method (KDM). After multivariable adjustment, frequent SB consumption was significantly associated with accelerated KDM-derived BAacc, compared with non-consumers (β = 0.29 years, 95% CI: 0.06-0.52). This association was stronger among participants younger than 55 years (P for interaction < 0.05). Gut microbiota was profiled using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We identified 10 genera significantly associated with the frequent SB consumption, and 56 genera significantly associated with BAacc. Notably, five genera (Allisonella, Lactobacillus, Weissella, Lactococcus, and Bacilli_unclassified) were shared between the two analyses and enriched in both frequent SB consumers and individuals with higher BAacc. Frequent SB consumption is associated with accelerated biological aging, especially among adults younger than 55 years. Shared gut microbial signatures associated with both SB intake and BAacc suggest a potential microbiota-related pathway. These findings support reducing SB consumption as a potential strategy for promoting healthy aging.