Suffering from Hypertension Avoid Sugar Sweetened Beverages

Researchers report of this link is in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association.

According to researchers of the International Study of Macro/Micronutrients and Blood Pressure (INTERMAP), for each sugary sweetened drink consumed each day participants on average had remarkably higher systolic blood pressure by 1.6 millimeters of mercury and diastolic pressure 0.08 mm Hg., higher. This figure remained even after adjusting for body mass differences.

Researchers discovered that those who consumed more glucose and fructose, both of those sweeteners that are found in high-fructose corn syrup (the most usual sweetener used by beverage manufactures) had revealed higher blood pressure levels.

Those who had consumed both sugar and sodium had remarked higher blood pressure levels. There was no linked higher blood pressure levels to diet soda. However, those who consumed diet soda had a higher BMI(body mass index) in comparison to those who did not consume diet soda and lower rates of physical activity.

Dr. Paul Elliott, Ph.D, senior researcher and professor in the Department of Epidemiology and BioStatistics in the school of Public Health at Imperial College London, stated that this pointed to another probable intervention to lower blood pressure. The findings had given support for recommendations to decrease the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages along with added sugars and sodium for an attempt to decrease blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health.

Researchers had examined the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, sugar and diet beverages among 2,696 participants aged 40 to 59 in eight areas of the United States and two areas in the United Kingdom. For a period of four days participants had reported what they had consumed both in food and beverages, by way of in depth interviewers administered by trained observers. They also had two 24 hour urine collections, eight blood pressure readings and answered a detail questionnaire about lifestyle, medical and social factors

Researchers discovered that intake of sugar in glucose, fructose and sucrose form was the highest among participants who consumed more than one sweetened beverage each day along with having consumed more calories than those who did not consume the beverage. An average energy intake of more than 397 calories was noted.

Among participants who did not consume sugar sweetened beverages had a lower BMI index in comparison to those who had consumed more than one sugar sweetened beverage daily.

Dr. Ian Brown, Ph.D., research associate at the college stated that people who consume a lot of sugary sweetened beverages seem to have less healthy diets. They are consuming empty calories without any nutritional benefits of actual food. It seems they consume less potassium, magnesium and calcium.

Dr. Brown has noted that this is just one piece of proof in a puzzle that needs completion. People who wish to consume sugary sweetened beverages should do so but in moderation.

The American Heart Association recommends no more than 100 calories of added sugar for women and no more than 150 calories of added sugar for men, on a daily basis. These are discretionary calories which are the remaining calories in a person's energy allowance after consumption of the recommended amounts and kinds of foods to meet all daily nutrient requirements.

It is not known how many people in the United States have hypertension however, it is estimated that there are 300 new cases each year.

Besides proper diet and exercise there are some alternative treatments to aide hypertension, some of those include:

Chiropractic

Atlas adjustment done by chiropractors has been demonstrated to greatly lower high blood pressure.

Also, noted in the Journal of Human Hypertension, March 2, 2007, chiropractic adjustments had shown to be more effective than the combination of two medications.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been used in a clinical setting to treat hypertension however, there are not enough adequate studies on this subject.

In one trial conducted in China, 216 patients with hypertension were divided into three groups for acupuncture. The acupuncture groups consisted of ear, corporal and combination. Each group had 20 minute sessions once a day for ten days. The diastolic pressure returned to normal range. All three groups had shown this.

Several studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can decrease blood pressure. As with any treatment is dependent upon how the person responds. Each individual does respond differently to different treatments.

Reflexology

Reflexologists can also aid in lowering blood pressure by improving functioning of the system, focusing on relaxation and reducing stress. Either points on the hands or feet are used.
Sources:

Medical News Today

UW Health

Maximized Living

Tufts Education

Holistic Online