Sugar-sweetened beverages and hypertension

Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has been associated with the development and maintenance of obesity, as well as the risk for multiple obesity-related comorbidities. Some experts have hypothesized that the effect is entirely associated with excess caloric intake, while others suggest that a component of sweeteners may have a physiologic impact on the development of hypertension, insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Chen et al. have presented the first, large-scale clinical trial, assessing the direct effect of modest changes in sweetened drink consumption on blood pressure in a racially diverse population. The study team utilized data from the PREMIER: Lifestyle Interventions for Blood Pressure Control trial, in which 810 adult subjects were randomized to three groups: advice only; comprehensive lifestyle modification aimed at weight loss, increased exercise and dietary sodium reduction; or comprehensive lifestyle modification with incorporation of the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. Sweetened drink intake was estimated from 24-h subject recall, assessed by unscheduled phone calls to subjects at baseline, 6 months and 18 months. Over the duration of the study, a reduction of one 12-oz serving of sugar-sweetened beverages per day was associated with an average of 1.8 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure and an average of 1.1 mmHg reduction in diastolic blood pressure.