Added sugar is now a very common component of many foods, particularly in the form of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) which is often found in processed foods and drinks. Fructose is a simple sugar which is found naturally in fruits and honey and also, as the name suggests, in HFCS. Fructose is also a component of table sugar.

Over the last 200 years, there has been a big increase in our intake of fructose, even more so with the introduction of HFCS 20 years ago. Now Americans consume 5 to 10% more added sugars than even 20 years ago. At the same time, there has been a dramatic increase in rates of high blood pressure and obesity. Could there be a connection between added sugar and these health issues?

Researchers at the University of Colorado now report upon the fructose/added sugar intakes of over 4,500 adults with no previous history of high blood pressure. A food frequency questionnaire was given, listing intake of fruit juices, baked goods, soft drinks and other sources of fructose/added sugars. Analysis showed that consuming more than 74 grams fructose a day was linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure. That’s the equivalent of about two and a half sugary soft drinks a day. Further research is now needed to see whether cutting back on added sugars and fructose can decrease the risk of high blood pressure. In the meantime, there’s a simple answer if you want to do more to avoid high blood pressure. Check your food and beverage labels and make sure you don’t take in too much in the way of added sugars and fructose.

Source:

American Society of Nephrology Renal Week meeting October 29 2009