Sugary Drinks and Blood Pressure

Sugary drinks are terrible stuff.  They increase the risk of diabetes, obesity and are nutritionally bankrupt.  A new study shows that it may also increase blood pressure.

This article states that the average American drinks 2.3 sugary beverages per day.  This is in addition to the  sugar we take in our cookies, pies, cakes and the refined carbohydrates in our white breads, pastas and other treats.  Lowering sugar intake cut both diastolic and systolic readings in participants.

While the total decline in blood pressure isn't mind-blowing, keep in mind that cutting sugar consumption will also decrease weight, decrease inflammation, help manage insulin resistance and a host of other things that one wouldn't directly related to blood pressure.  Taken as a package, it seems a good idea to drop the sugary beverages.