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Added Sugars in the Diet Are Positively Associated with Mean Arterial Pressure and Systolic Blood Pressure in Older Adults
Author(s) -
Chai Sheau C,
Davis Kristina,
Wright Regina S,
Pohlig Ryan,
Saltzgiver Julia,
Caulfield Alexandra,
Falk Danielle
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.1154.3
Subject(s) - blood pressure , medicine , body mass index , anthropometry , cardiology , diastole , mean arterial pressure , endocrinology , heart rate
Recent evidence suggests that added sugars in the diet have been associated with higher risk of high blood pressure. However, there is a paucity of such research in older adults. Epidemiological studies also support that rich‐fruit diet is associated with lower blood pressure. Hence, the present study examined the relationship between added sugar and fruit consumption, mean arterial pressure and blood pressure in older adults. A cross‐sectional study was conducted that included 128 men and women aged 65–80. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were measured. Partial Pearson correlations were run to examine the association between added sugar and fruit consumption, mean arterial pressure and blood pressure, after adjusting for body mass index. Our findings indicate that added sugar was positively correlated with both mean arterial pressure ( r = 0.214; p = 0.017) and systolic blood pressure ( r = 0.233; p = 0.009). Overall fruit consumption was inversely associated with mean arterial pressure ( r = −0.181; p = 0.044) and diastolic blood pressure ( r = −0.206; p = 0.021) levels. More importantly, intake of solid fruits, but not juice, was inversely associated with mean arterial pressure ( r = −0.281; p = 0.001), and systolic ( r = −0.199; p = 0.026) and diastolic ( r = −0.304; p = 0.001) blood pressure levels. Findings suggest a need for reduced intake of added sugars, but increased intakes of solid fruits among older adults to promote healthy blood pressure. Future studies are warranted to investigate the relationship of added sugar to vascular biomarkers.