🍫 Salt Gets the Blame, But Is Sugar the Real Culprit in Hypertension?

Salt has been portrayed as the primary cause of high blood pressure for many years. But what if sugar is the one causing the trouble?

According to recent research, excessive added sugar, particularly from sugary snacks, drinks, and hidden sweeteners, may cause some people's blood pressure to rise more than salt. High fructose (a type of sugar) consumption causes your body to produce uric acid, which can stiffen blood vessels and increase intravascular pressure.

And what else? Sugar raises insulin levels, which increases weight gain and inflammation, two major risk factors for hypertension. One startling fact is that a 20-ounce soda may contain over 15 teaspoons of sugar, which causes the body to react with elevated blood pressure in as little as 30 minutes.

This does not imply that salt is exempt; processed foods frequently have hidden sugars in addition to high sodium. However, reducing sugar intake, particularly added sugars, is just as crucial for long-term heart health as keeping an eye on the salt shaker.

Therefore, the next time you read a label, look at the sugar line as well as the sodium. Your blood pressure and heart will appreciate it.

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