There is limited research on the association between soda consumption and the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS), particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the relationship between soda consumption and MetS in Korean adults, stratified by sex, and compared differences before and after the pandemic using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2017–2021). A total of 13,051 adults aged 19–64 years were included. Soda consumption was assessed using 24-hour recall and categorized into five groups (nondrinkers and four quartiles). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for MetS and its components. After adjusting for multiple covariates, no significant association was found between soda consumption and MetS overall. However, adults in the highest quartile of soda consumption (≥373g/day) had higher risks of abdominal obesity (P-trend=0.006) and hypertriglyceridemia (P-trend=0.003), compared to nondrinkers. When analyzed by gender, women in the highest quartile of soda consumption (≥315g/day) had significantly increased risks: MetS by 70% (OR=1.70; 95% CI: 1.08–2.68), abdominal obesity by 63% (OR=1.63; 95% CI:1.12–2.38), hypertriglyceridemia by 83%(OR=1.83; 95% CI:1.23–2.74), and low HDL cholesterol by 46%(OR=1.46; 95% CI:1.06–2.01), whereas no significant associations were observed in men. Post-pandemic analysis revealed a significant association between high soda consumption (≥ 416g/day) and MetS (OR=1.56; 95% CI:1.04–2.34), which was not significant in the pre-pandemic period (P-interaction=0.031). These findings suggest that high soda consumption may increase the risk of MetS, particularly among Korean women.
