A recent research paper published in the Journal of American Society of Nephrology states that people who consume a lot of sugar, esp. fructose, stand a high chance of developing high blood pressure.
Drinking 2.5 cans or more of non-diet soda per day- or consuming an equivalent amount of fructose from other foods–increases your risk of hypertension by at least 30 percent, the study found.
A similar research conducted at a New Orleans University found that by cutting daily consumption of sugary drinks by just one serving a day, people can lower their blood pressure. Though the link between high sugar consumption and high blood pressure has been established, it doesn’t necessarily prove sugar to be the cause of high blood pressure. It’s still unclear how fructose might affect blood pressure, for instance. One theory is that fructose might make the body absorb sodium more readily.
Fructose intake may also increase levels of uric acid, which has been shown to contribute to high blood pressure.
This may probably explain why diabetes and high blood pressure are often co-morbid. High blood pressure is more common in people with diabetes. Around 3 in 10 people with type 1diabetes and around 8 in 10 people with type-2 diabetes develop high blood pressure at some stage.
Risk factors for diabetics to develop high blood pressure
- Too much of salt intake
- Fewer intakes of fruits and vegetables
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Family history of high blood pressure.
Researchers have found out that people from the Indian sub-continent and from African nations are more prone to develop both diseases together.
High blood pressure and diabetes mellitus form a deadly combination and are one of the leading causes of deaths the world over. Controlling your sugar intake may not only aid in controlling your blood sugar levels, but also in keeping your blood pressure under check.
