Soda and Health: Is Soda Bad for My Blood Pressure?

By Rachel Johnson, Ph.D, M.P.H., R.D., "Ask Our Expert," July/August 2011

New research on soda and health reveals whether soda is bad for blood pressure.

More Information on Soda and Your Health
Can Drinking Seltzers, Sodas or Other Carbonated Drinks Harm Bones?
Regular Soda or Diet Soda: Which is Worse For Your Health?
Should you stop drinking soda? A food expert weighs in

Healthy Drink Recipes
Easy Mocktails
Healthy Coffee Shop Drinks
See It, Make It: Healthy Drinks

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, so as far as I’m concerned this is one more nail in the coffin against SSBs. After all, we already know that SSBs are the top source of calories in Americans' diets and are void of any essential nutrients.

Fortunately, our government is getting the message. The USDA's 2010 Dietary Guidelines tell Americans to "drink water instead of sugary drinks"—a first. It doesn’t get much clearer than that. The calories you’ll save will undoubtedly help you reach, or maintain, a healthy weight—and may be good for your blood pressure too.