Increased risk of hypertension with daily glass of soda.
New research from Maastricht UMC+ shows that even one glass of sugary soda per day is associated with a significantly higher risk of high blood pressure. The risk of hypertension is almost 30% higher in daily soda drinkers than in non-drinkers, according to Dutch research conducted in Maastricht.
In the Maastricht Study, involving over 5,800 adults from South Limburg, researchers specifically looked at fructose: the fruit sugar found in soft drinks, fruit, and juice. Surprisingly, elevated blood pressure was only seen with fructose from soft drinks. The same amount of fructose from fruit or fruit juice showed no increased risk. So, it's not just the amount of sugar that matters, but also the source.
To better understand this, the researchers conducted a small intervention study with 21 healthy people. They received 20 grams of fructose four times, each time in a different form: as apple, applesauce, apple juice, or dissolved in water, as in a soft drink. Only the soft drink form caused a significant increase in blood pressure. This indicates that the packaging containing sugar, with or without fiber and protective substances, makes a significant difference.
In practice, this means that a daily soft drink is less harmless than it seems, especially for people with (or at risk of) cardiovascular disease. Making a more conscious choice for water, tea, flavored (sparkling) water, or sugar-free options is a relatively simple step that can significantly improve your blood pressure and overall health in the long run.
Sugary soft drinks play a role in high blood pressure, diabetes, fatty liver disease, and other conditions. As a society and as organizations, we can already respond to this by making healthier and less processed choices easier and more appealing.
