As the holiday’s approach and temptations are on every table, you may want to reach for a piece of whole fruit over a sugary treat to help reduce your blood pressure. Research from the University of Delaware suggests that enjoying a piece of fruit rather than a sugary treat is linked with a reduction in high blood pressure for both men and women.
Everyone knows that added sugar found in items such as ice cream, cookies, and cakes is the prime suspect in health problems such as diabetes and obesity. But what many don’t realize is that replacing those sugary treats with whole fruit can actually help to lower blood pressure.
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New preliminary data from a study by UD’s Sheau Ching Chai has shown a strong link between added sugar and hypertension in postmenopausal females. This connection was found even after controlling for age, income, body mass index, physical activity levels, daily caloric intake, and use of blood pressure medication. The effect of whole fruits in a daily diet is also gaining interest from those with an interest in heart disease.
This new data could be a big deal, especially for older people. Two-thirds of Americans aged 65 and older have high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart and kidney disease.
The research, published in a recent issue of the journal Nutrients, looked at a small sample of 128 participants, mostly Caucasian, ranging from 65 to 80 years old. Participants had no history of cancer, gastrointestinal disease, traumatic brain injury, stroke, diabetes, central nervous system disorders, Alzheimer’s, dementia, or psychiatric illness.
Chai and her team found a strong link between added sugar and an increase in systolic and diastolic pressures. In contrast, whole fruits showed a reduction in diastolic pressure between heartbeats.
This study was meant to examine the influence of food groups and added sugars in the diet on blood pressure levels. All major types of sugar found in a common American diet were examined in this study. These include sucrose (table sugar), glucose (found in candy, sports drinks, and desserts) and fructose (fruit sugar and a major source of added sugar in the form of high-fructose corn syrup). It did not include the effect of sugar substitutes on health.
“There is a big difference in the way each type of sugar is metabolized in our bodies,” Chai said. “And fructose, in particular, may contribute more to raising blood pressure than other types.”
A Growing Concern
Sugar is a growing concern in the American diet, as many people consume far more than is recommended by the American Heart Association. The cap is currently set at no more than six teaspoons per day for women and no more than nine teaspoons for men. For those who are concerned about blood pressure and following the DASH diet, a much lower cap is recommended—only nine teaspoons per week.
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“By contrast,” Chai said, “the average American eats about 17 teaspoons per day—about 66 pounds per year.”
“We’re not saying you can’t eat sugar,” she said. “The kind found naturally in whole fruit is fine.”
Whole fruits offer many valuable elements to a healthy diet including pulp fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and other bioactive compounds. These elements not only help to reduce blood pressure, but offer many health benefits for the whole body. So, this holiday season, skip the sugary treats and reach for a piece of fruit.
About eight years ago, Mat Lecompte had an epiphany. He’d been ignoring his health and suddenly realized he needed to do something about it. Since then, through hard work, determination and plenty of education, he has transformed his life. He’s changed his body composition by learning the ins and outs of nutrition, exercise, and fitness and wants to share his knowledge with you. Starting as a journalist over 10 years ago, Mat has not only honed his belief system and approach with practical experience, but he has also worked closely with nutritionists, dieticians, athletes, and fitness professionals. He embraces natural healing methods and believes that diet, exercise and willpower are the foundation of a healthy, happy, and drug-free existence.
