Comparison of Beverage Choices among Adults: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2007-2008 and 2017-2018

Authors: Martin, Carrie; Goldman, Joseph; Waller, Anna; Moshfegh, Alanna

Submitted to: Worldwide Web Site: Food Surveys Research Group
Publication Type: Research Technical Update
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/8/2024
Publication Date: 4/30/2024
Citation: Martin, C.L., Goldman, J.D., Waller, A.W., Moshfegh, A.J. 2024. Comparison of Beverage Choices among Adults: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2007-2008 and 2017-2018. Worldwide Web Site: Food Surveys Research Group. Available: https://www.ars.usda.gov/nea/bhnrc/fsrg/wweia/dbrief.

Interpretive Summary: Beverages contribute significant amounts of energy and nutrients in the diets of adults. Using nationally representative survey data from 2007-2008 and 2017-2018, this research compares results on beverage consumption as well as the energy and nutrients that beverages contribute to overall intake among U.S. adults, age 20 years and over. Water, coffee/tea, and sweetened beverages were the most commonly consumed beverages during both timeframes. Milk, 100% juice, and diet beverages were consumed less frequently in 2017-2018 than 2007-2008 among all adults as well as both males and females separately. Meanwhile, coffee/tea and water were consumed more frequently. Beverages contributed overall less energy, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium to daily intake in 2017-2018 compared to 2007-2008. More than half of the energy provided by beverages came from alcoholic and sweetened beverages during both timeframes. Daily intake of select beverages in fluid ounces among adults consuming each type did not differ between 2007-2008 and 2017-2018. This research emphasizes the impact that beverage intake has on the overall diets of U.S. adults. The data brief is available on the Food Surveys Research Group website www.ars.usda.gov/nea/bhnrc/fsrg.

Technical Abstract: Beverages contribute significant amounts of energy and nutrients in the diets of adults. This research compares results on beverage consumption among U.S. adults during 2007-2008 and 2017-2018. The study sample included nationally representative data from 5,420 and 4,742 adults, age 20 years and over participating in the What We Eat in America, NHANES in 2007-2008 and 2017-2018, respectively. Dietary intake data were obtained from an in-person 24-hour recall, collected using the interviewer-administered 5-step USDA Automated Multiple-Pass Method. The most commonly consumed beverage during both survey timeframes was water, followed by coffee/tea, and sweetened beverages. Sweetened beverages, milk, 100% juice, and diet beverages were consumed less frequently in 2017-2018 than 2007-2008 by all adults as well as both males and females separately. Meanwhile, coffee/tea and water were consumed more frequently. Adults ages 20-39 years had the largest number of beverage categories with differences in consumption when comparing the two timeframes. Beverages provided 18% and 17% of total daily energy intake during 2007-2008 and 2017-2018, respectively, with more than half of this coming from alcoholic and sweetened beverages during both timeframes. In addition to energy, the contribution of vitamin D, calcium, and potassium from beverages was lower in 2017-2018. Mean daily intake of select beverages in fluid ounces among adults consuming each type did not differ between 2007-2008 and 2017-2018. This research emphasizes the impact that beverage intake has on the overall diets of U.S. adults during different timeframes. The data brief is available on the Food Surveys Research Group website www.ars.usda.gov/nea/bhnrc/fsrg.