Scientist issues blood pressure warning for popular children’s drinks
New research has revealed that sugary drinks, if consumed from childhood, may increase the risk of high blood pressure in later life.
“Eating habits in early life can have lasting health consequences,” warned senior study author Vasanti Malik, an associate professor at the University of Toronto and an expert in public nutrition.
New research published in the American Heart Association’s flagship journal CirculationIt was found that consuming more than two servings of sugary drinks each day had a 52 percent higher risk of developing high blood pressure later in life, compared to those who drank fewer than three servings per week.
Prof Malik added: “High blood pressure also occurs early in life, with increasing rates seen in young adults, children and adolescents, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and prevention.”
The research, based on the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS), included 25,749 participants who answered surveys every one to four years; some study members participated in surveys for as long as 25 years.
Participants reported how often they consumed beverages such as sodas, lemonade, sweet teas, and sports drinks, as well as their habits regarding juice, whole fruit, and other foods and beverages. Information on body measurements, physical activities and smoking were also recorded.
During the study’s follow-up period, researchers found that people who consumed more sugary drinks and juices from childhood had a higher risk of developing high blood pressure than those who consumed less.
However, different types of sugary drinks showed different levels of risk when it comes to high blood pressure.
Compared to those who drank less than one serving per week, drinking soda every day was associated with a 23 percent higher risk, one serving of sports drinks per day was associated with a 36 percent higher risk, and drinking more than 1.5 servings of juice per day was associated with a 35 percent higher risk. In this example, a serving was defined as an eight-ounce glass.
The risk of developing high blood pressure could be 22 percent lower if one replaces a daily serving of sugary drinks with a whole fruit, researchers said.
Prof Malik said: “Sugar-sweetened drinks such as soda and sports drinks, which are often marketed as healthy, need to be limited. Fruit juice consumption is harmless at low levels, but can be harmful at higher levels.”
“These should always be 100 percent fruit juice and yet consumed in moderation. The emphasis should be on whole fruit rather than sugary drinks.”
The researchers cautioned that the link could not be confirmed because the study relied on surveys and self-reported diagnoses of high blood pressure, and that more research was needed, particularly because other factors not included in the analysis may have influenced the findings.
