Another Reason to Avoid Sugary Drinks

Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda, lemonade, sweetened fruit drinks and punches has been shown to be linked to obesity, leading to diabetes and heart disease. Being overweight is also linked to high blood pressure, which can also lead to heart disease, as well as stroke, kidney disease and a higher risk of death from all causes—which means a shorter life expectancy. Certainly the added calories that come from drinking sugar-sweetened beverages contributes to a person's weight problem, but one research group wondered if those sugar-sweetened drinks might somehow more directly affect a person's blood pressure.

Dr. Tim Harlan aka Dr. Gourmet

July 21, 2010