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.

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You know that drinking too many sodas and other sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), such as teas and flavored drinks, is bad for your waistline. New research shows that it may be bad for something else, too—your blood pressure. A new study of nearly 3,000 people published in the journal Hypertension reported that those who drank more than one serving a day of SSBs had significantly higher blood pressure than participants who drank one serving (about 12 ounces) or less daily.

As a researcher, I look to see that other studies have confirmed a study's results before drawing a conclusion and giving advice. The most convincing support, to date, for these recent findings comes from a 2010 study in Circulation. In that study, when 810 people with high blood pressure or even slightly elevated blood pressure (pre-hypertension) reduced their intake of SSBs over 18 months, they lowered their blood pressure.

Next: More Information on High Blood Pressure and SSBs »