This daily habit may be increasing blood pressure without realizing it

High blood pressure is a major risk factor in heart disease and stroke. Although salt is usually referred to as a known cause, another ingredient that is getting increased attention is fructose, a sugar found in many drinks and processed foods.

Scholars from Harvard University and the University of Toronto analyzed thousands of people's data for more than two decades to see if consumption of fructose during childhood and adolescence was linked to adult tension problems.

The study followed about 26 thousand participants for up to 25 years. Researchers took into account dietary habits, physical activity, sleep, and other factors that could affect results.

What did scholars discover?

The results showed that the main problem was, not the full fruit, but the one in sweetened drinks.

People who consumed more sugar drinks had a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. One drink a day involved increasing risk by about 14 percent.

The danger was even greater for refreshing drinks and energy drinks, where daily consumption was linked to more significant increases in the potential for high blood pressure.

Fruit juices were also linked to greater danger, especially when consumed in large quantities. Meanwhile, eating whole fruit showed no connection to increasing tension.

According to researchers, the difference may be in the way the body processes sugar. When a lot of liquor is taken, it is processed in the liver and can affect the growth of uric acid, which can harm blood vessels and affect the increase in tension.

A Small Replacement, a Big Change

Researchers also analyzed what happened when sugar drinks were replaced by other alternatives.

A daily substitute for a sweetened drink of whole fruits was linked to a 22 - percent drop in high - pressure risk. The substitute for milk was 13 percent, and the water was about 9 percent.

Replacing whole - fruit fruit juices was also linked to a 19 - percent reduction in risk.

However, researchers point out that the study has certain limitations, as the data was based on the report itself, and most of them belonged to a similar demographic group, so the results may not apply to the entire population.

What can be done in everyday life?

Experts suggest that sugar drinks do not become a daily custom. This does not mean that they have to be completely avoided, but frequent consumption can negatively affect heart health.

When the desire for something sweet arises, a whole fruit is a better choice, for besides natural sugar, it also brings beneficial fibers, vitamins, and minerals.

A simple way to start is to substitute one drink of sugar a day with water, milk, or sugarless tea. In time, this slight change can help not only in controlling tension but also in improving overall health.

Experts remember that blood pressure is also affected by other factors such as general nutrition, physical activity, stress, and sleep quality. A more balanced way of life brings far greater benefits than controlling tension.