Cutting Sugary Drinks Lowers Blood Pressure

Drinking one less sugar-sweetened beverage a day may help lower blood pressure and further reduce other blood pressure-related diseases such as diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome, according to a new study published in the journal Circulation.

Researchers used data on 810 adults, ages 25 to 79, with prehypertension (between 120/80 and 139/89 mm Hg) and stage I hypertension (between 140/90 and 159/99 mm Hg ) who participated in the PREMIER study, an 18-month behavioral intervention study with a focus on weight loss, exercise, and a healthy diet as a means to prevent and control high blood pressure. At the start of the study, the participants drank an average 10.5 fluid ounces of SSB/day, equivalent to just under one serving. At the study’s conclusion, average consumption had fallen by half a serving/day and both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure had declined significantly.

After controlling for known risk factors of blood pressure, the analysis found that a reduction of one serving/day of SSB was associated with a 1.8 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) drop in systolic pressure and a 1.1 mm Hg decline in diastolic pressure over 18 months. Researchers noted that this association was partially because of weight loss, but even after controlling for weight loss, the change in blood pressure was statistically significant.

The researchers noted that American adults consume an average of 2.3 servings (28 ounces) of sugar-sweetened beverages per day. In this study, sugar-sweetened beverages were defined as drinks sweetened with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup including regular soft drinks, fruit drinks, lemonade and fruit punch. Diet drinks were excluded.

In response to the study, Dr. Maureen Storey, senior vice president of the American Beverage Association, issued the following statement:

"This study does not show that there is anything unique about drinking sugar-sweetened beverages that leads to increased blood pressure, or that there is something unique about reducing their consumption that leads to reduced blood pressure. The authors themselves acknowledge the latter, noting that their study does not establish cause and effect.

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, when it comes to preventing high blood pressure, the most important factors are maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, following a healthy eating plan, reducing dietary sodium and moderating alcohol intake. We know that losing weight by decreasing total calories consumed from all foods and beverages and increasing total calories burned through physical activity has the greatest effect on blood pressure, not the specific foods or beverages that are decreased. In fact, NHLBI states that blood pressure rises as body weight increases, and that ‘losing even 10 pounds can lower blood pressure—and weight loss has the greatest effect for those who are overweight and already have hypertension.

It's important to recognize that this particular study is a secondary analysis of another study designed to look at the impact of weight loss—not reducing or eliminating specific foods or beverages—on blood pressure. This study only further supports that weight loss is a critical factor to lowering blood pressure. And the key to losing weight involves either decreasing total calories consumed or increasing total calories burned or a combination of the two.

Importantly, those with borderline high or high blood pressure should seek the professional advice of their physician or other health professional to learn how best to manage hypertension, as well as how to maintain a healthy body weight through balanced diet and exercise."

Sources:

* American Beverage Association: American Beverage Association Statement on Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake and Blood Pressure