It was recently announced by WebMD that the presence of high fructose corn syrup in the soft drinks can actually increase your blood pressure. This can happen even if you are otherwise healthy. This is according to a new study by the University of Colorado Denver Health Sciences Center in Aurora, Colorado.
“High fructose intake is linked to high blood pressure,” said researcher Diana Jalal, MD.
So how much soda does it take to cause high blood pressure? Jalal says it takes only two and half sugary soft drinks a day to elevate blood pressure!
The study examined 4,528 adults, all age 18 or older, who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2003 and 2006. None of the participants had a history of high blood pressure. Participants were surveyed about diet, and fructose intake was estimated based on answers about consumption of soft drinks, fruit juices, candy, and other types of foods. The researchers did not include the natural fructose from fruits in this study. Natural fructose is not harmful because other substances (like antioxidants) in whole fruits counteract any harmful effects. The study found that the median fructose intake was 74 grams per day – approximately 2.5 sugary soft drinks a day.
The researchers controlled for factors like age, activity levels, caloric intake, and salt intake, and they still found an association between high fructose intake and high blood pressure. Participants who had a daily fructose intake of 74 grams or more had a 36 higher risk of having high blood pressure.
“We know that fructose has the potential to reduce nitric oxide production within the blood vessels,” Dr. Jalal expalined. “Nitric oxide relaxes the vessel and is supposed to lower blood pressure. Fructose reduces the production of nitric oxide and makes it difficult for the vessels to relax and dilate.”
Blood pressure can also be raised by fructose by raising the uric acid in the blood. And that informs kidney to eliminate very low level of salt.
The following has been commented by Maureen Storey of American Beverage Association “It’s important to remember that this is an abstract presented at a scientific meeting. It is not a published, peer-reviewed paper where the study, the data and the results and conclusions have undergone the rigors of peer review. There is nothing unique about soft drinks and/or high fructose corn syrup when it comes to risk for high blood pressure.”
Fruits naturally contains fructose. Fructose products such as high fructose corn syrup does carry a health problem as suggested from different studies even though the beverage association comment otherwise. And a latest research has found that the samples tested on high fructose corn syrup contains substance of mercury.
More research is under way, but for the time being, the best way to avoid increased risk of high blood pressure is to avoid refined fructose altogether! This means you’ll have to avoid many soft drinks, fruit juices, baked goods, and candies. Many of these foods are simply sources of empty calories, anyway. Stop drinking soft drinks, and you’ll notice the benefits soon. Even the majority of breads contain high fructose corn syrup! Read labels, and look for natural choices. If you’re a die-hard fan of soft drinks, you can actually find some brands that are still made with natural sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup.
In general, you should try to avoid all artificial, processed foods. Opt for natural foods, and eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. If you’re at risk for high blood pressure or have high blood pressure, you should also exercise regularly. Think of exercise as your medicine! But exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous. It can be relatively easy. To learn more about how you can reduce your stress levels and lower your blood pressure naturally, see this set of easy high blood pressure exercises.
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Blue Heron Health News is a leading resource of natural health information that recently published an information article on how to lower blood pressure naturally.