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Sugar-sweetened beverages and hypertension
1Baylor College of Medicine, 1102 Bates Street, Ste 260, Houston, TX 77030, USA. dfeig@bcm.edu
Future Cardiology
|December 15, 2010
Summary
Reducing sugar-sweetened beverage intake by one serving daily can lower blood pressure. This study provides evidence for the direct impact of sugar-sweetened drinks on hypertension risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Metabolic Disease Research
- Clinical Nutrition
Background:
- Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) consumption is linked to obesity and related conditions.
- Debate exists whether SSBs' impact stems solely from calories or if sweeteners have direct physiological effects.
- Previous research lacked large-scale clinical trials on SSBs' direct effect on blood pressure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the direct impact of reducing SSB consumption on blood pressure.
- To investigate this effect in a racially diverse adult population.
- To analyze data from the PREMIER: Lifestyle Interventions for Blood Pressure Control trial.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial with 810 adult subjects.
- Three intervention groups: advice only, lifestyle modification, and lifestyle modification with DASH diet.
- SSB intake assessed via 24-hour recalls at baseline, 6, and 18 months.
Main Results:
- A reduction of one 12-oz serving of SSBs daily correlated with a 1.8 mmHg decrease in systolic blood pressure.
- This reduction was also associated with a 1.1 mmHg decrease in diastolic blood pressure.
- The findings were observed in a racially diverse population.
Conclusions:
- Modest reductions in SSB intake can directly lower blood pressure.
- This suggests a physiological impact of SSBs beyond mere caloric contribution.
- Findings support public health recommendations to limit SSB consumption for cardiovascular health.
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