Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Linked to Hypertension NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) was linked to an increased risk of developing hypertension, in a study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Preventive Medicine in New Orleans. Lead researcher Dr. Aaqib Malik from Yale-Griffin Hospital said, Even by the most conservative estimate, intake of greater than 12 fluid ounces (which is equivalent to one 355ml can of soda) of SSBs per day can increase the risk of having hypertension by at least 6% and can increase mean systolic blood pressure by a minimum of 1.8 mm Hg in as little as 18 months. These effects were seen in both normo- and hypertensive individuals. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that high intakes of SSBs (soda, sports drinks, energy drinks, juice drinks, sweetened tea and coffee drinks) are linked to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease, observed Dr. Rachel K. Johnson, Professor of Nutrition at the University of Vermont and Chair of the American Heart Associations Nutrition Committee. Since on average a 2 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure is expected to reduce deaths from stroke by 10%, and a similar reduction in diastolic blood pressure may reduce the prevalence of hypertension by 17%, coronary heart disease by 6% and stroke by 15%, this data suggests that just limiting consumption of SSBs can lead to great strides in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, Malik said. (Source: Medscape)
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 06:06:48 +0000
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