Hypertension may be linked to fructose

DENVER, July 5 (UPI) -- People who eat a diet high in fructose may be at increased risk of high blood pressure, U.S. researchers said.

Dr. Diana Jalal of the University of Colorado Denver Health Sciences Center and colleagues linked consumption of the simple sugar, used to sweeten a wide variety of processed foods such as soft drinks and candy, to higher risk of high blood pressure.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Society Nephrology, found those consuming 74 grams or more per day of fructose -- the equivalent of 2.5 sugary soft drinks per day -- raised their risk of having blood pressure of 135/86 by 26 percent, of 140/90 by 30 percent and 77 percent higher risk for blood pressure of 160/100 or more.

"Our study identifies a potentially modifiable risk factor for high blood pressure," Jalal said in a statement. "However, well-planned prospective randomized clinical studies need to be completed to see if low-fructose diets will prevent the development of hypertension and its complications."

The researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2003 and 2006 for 4,528 U.S. adults age 18 years or older with no prior history of hypertension. Study participants were asked to answer diet questions.