WebMD recently reported that high fructose corn syrup in soft drinks can drive up your blood pressure, even if you’re otherwise healthy, according to a new study from 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.

Dr Jalal, MD elaborated this by saying “We know that fructose has the potential to reduce nitric oxide production within the blood vessels,”. “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.”

Frutose can also raise blood pressure by raising uric acid in the blood, which tells kidneys to eliminate less salt.

“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.” This has been commented by Maureen storey from the American Beverage Association.

Fructose is a type of sugar naturally present in fruits. Despite the comment from the beverage association, several studies suggest that refined fructose products, such as high fructose corn syrup, do indeed present unique health problems. Another recent study found that many samples of high fructose corn syrup on the market are contaminated with 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.

Regular exercise reduce the risk of getting high blood pressure considerably. One should consider exercise as a medicine it need not be heavy and rigorous. You can opt for simple and easy exercise. It is advised to avoid all foods that are artificial and processed. You can adopt to natural foods, and try to follow diet that contains loads of fruits and vegetables.

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Blue Heron Health News is a best known source of natural health detailed that recently introduced an detailed article on how to lower blood pressure naturally.

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