Cut Out 1 Soda A Day to Lower Blood Pressure

Millions of people take various prescription medications in an effort to lower their blood pressure. According to new research, simply reducing sugary drinks in the diet can effectively lower a person’s blood pressure. This latest report comes on the heels of the government stepping in and taking action to help control obesity rates in the United States.

Dr. Liwei Chen of Louisiana State University led the study. For the study, Chen and her researchers followed 810 adults between the ages of 25 and 70 who had borderline high blood pressure and stage 1 hypertension. At the beginning of the study, the participants each drank 1 serving of a sugary drink, either a soda,  fruit drink or lemonade. 10.5 ounces is equivalent to 1 serving. An average American consumes 28 ounces of some type of sugary drink every day. 18 months following the start of the study, the participants were averaging about half of their original consumption. Researchers noted that the blood pressure in the individuals had dramatically decreased. They concluded that by eliminating 1 drink or serving of sugary drinks a day, a person can effectively reduce their risk of developing diseases related to high blood pressure.

The researchers worked to clarify if the blood pressure decrease was related to the caffeine or the sugar content. Based on further evaluation, they determined the link to be reduced sugar intake. Caffeine reduction did not affect blood pressure.  Researchers noted that those who consumed sugary drinks consumed more calories and were less likely to eat a healthy amount of fruits and vegetables. The study has been published in the journal Circulation.