Dietary habits in early life can have lasting health consequences, says senior study author
Sugary drinks may increase the chances of high blood pressure later in life if they are consumed from childhood, new research has found.
“Dietary habits in early life can have lasting health consequences,” warned senior study author Vasanti Malik, an associate professor at the University of Toronto and public nutrition expert.
New research from the American Heart Association, published in its flagship journal Circulation, found consuming more than two servings of sugary beverages each day is linked to a 52 per cent higher risk of developing high blood pressure later in life, compared to those who drank fewer than three servings a week.
Prof Malik added: “High blood pressure is also emerging earlier in life, with growing rates being seen in younger adults, in children and adolescents, which highlights the importance of early detection and prevention.”
The research, based on the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS), involved 25,749 participants who answered questionnaires every one to four years, with some study members taking part for as long as 25 years.
Participants reported how often they consumed drinks such as fizzy drinks, lemonade, sweet teas and sports drinks, as well as their habits with fruit juice, whole fruit and other foods and beverages. Information about body measurements, physical activities and smoking was also recorded.
During the follow-up period of the study, researchers found people who consumed more sugary beverages and fruit juices beginning in childhood had a greater 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.
Drinking fizzy drinks daily was associated with a 23 per cent higher risk, a daily serving of sports drinks was linked to a 36 per cent higher risk, and drinking more than 1.5 servings of fruit juice per day was linked to a 35 per cent higher risk, compared to those who drank less than one serving per week. A serving in this instance was defined as an eight-ounce glass.
The researchers advised there could be a 22 per cent lower risk of developing high blood pressure if one daily serving of a sugary beverage was swapped with a whole fruit.
Prof Malik said: “Sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soda and sports drinks, which are often marketed as somewhat healthy, should be limited. Fruit juice intake may be harmless at low levels yet harmful at higher intake levels.
“They should always be 100 per cent fruit juice, and even so, consumed only in moderation. Whole fruit should be emphasised over sugary beverages.”
Researchers have warned that because the study relied on questionnaires and self-reported diagnoses of high blood pressure, the connection cannot be confirmed and needs further investigation, especially as other factors not included in the analysis may have influenced the findings.
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