The aim of this study was to prospectively examine the relationship between changes in sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and blood pressure (BP) among US adults. The cohort included 810 adults with prehypertension and stage I hypertension who participated in the PREMIER Study (an 18-month behavioural intervention trial). The analysis revealed a positive association between change in SSB consumption and change in BP. More specifically, a reduction in SSB of 1 serving per day was associated with a 1.8 mm Hg (95% CI: 1.2-2.4) reduction in systolic BP and 1.1 mm Hg (95% CI: 0.7-1.4) reduction in diastolic BP over 18 months. Although this association was found to be largely mediated by weight change, it remained statistically significant (p<0.05). A positive association was also found for dietary sugar intake and BP. However, no association was reported for diet beverage consumption or caffeine intake and BP. These results suggest that sugars contribute to the positive association observed between SSB consumption and BP and that reducing SSB intake could be a dietary strategy to lower BP.
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