A recent study suggests added sugar plays a larger role than salt in the development of high blood pressure and heart disease.
In the past dietary approaches to fighting these conditions have largely focused on cutting down on salt intake, but this new research suggests the effects this tactic has on reducing cardiovascular risks are "debatable," BMJ-British Medical Journal reported.
Average reductions in blood pressure achieved by reducing salt intake are usually minimal, but there is evidence that consuming between 3 and 6 grams of salt per day is optimal for health and most salt-heavy processed foods also contain excess added sugar.
"Sugar may be much more meaningfully related to blood pressure than sodium, as suggested by a greater magnitude of effect with dietary manipulation," the researchers said. "Compelling evidence from basic science, population studies, and clinical trials implicates sugars, and particularly the monosaccharide fructose, as playing a major role in the development of hypertension [high blood pressure]."
The researchers believed high-fructose corn syrups are the most to blame in this connection because they are the most commonly-used sweeteners. The findings suggest people whose dietary intake of added sugars add up to at least a quarter of their total calorie intake have almost triple the cardiovascular risk as those with lower levels of consumption. The researchers noted that naturally-occurring sugars found in fruits and vegetables are not harmful to health.
"Just as most dietary sodium does not come from the salt shaker, most dietary sugar does not come from the sugar bowl; reducing consumption of added sugars by limiting processed foods containing it, made by corporations, would be a good place to start," the authors wrote. "The evidence is clear that even moderate doses of added sugar for short durations may cause substantial harm."
The findings were published in a recent edition of the British Medical journal.."
