Fructose occurs as fructose in many fruits. Although it is a natural sugar, fructose is linked to a significant increase in blood pressure.
In a recent meta-analysis, experts at Wayne State University examined how acute fructose intake affects blood pressure. The results are published in the English-language specialist journal “Nutrients”.
How healthy is fructose?
Fruit contains healthy fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. These nutrients can have positive effects on health and keep blood sugar levels more stable than processed sugar, which is why fructose is generally not considered to be really harmful to health by many people, the team explains.
The researchers have now analyzed in a review the extent to which fructose may be harmful to the cardiovascular system. From a total of 89 studies from four different electronic databases, ten were ultimately selected that met the criteria for the new meta-analysis.
Heart rate, blood pressure and blood sugar examined
The team analyzed the heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure and also blood sugar levels of the participants who consumed a high-fructose diet and compared them with a control group who consumed a normal diet.
It was found that fructose intake was associated with a significant increase in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the following hours. According to the researchers, fructose could also contribute to an increase in blood pressure in the long term.
The results make it clear that retrospective studies are necessary in the future to better understand the long-term effects of a diet with regular fructose intake on blood pressure, the team concludes. (as)
