NO deficiency can lead to vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels) and hypertension.With high blood pressure, you may be at greater risk for other conditions that affect how your body processes blood sugar, such as changes in how insulin sensitive you may become.
This article will help you to learn about the role sugar plays in hypertension and discover ways to keep sugar intake—and, in turn, your blood pressure—at healthy levels.
How Added Sugar Affects Your Blood Pressure
Typically, people think of salt as bad for blood pressure. However, sugar is also responsible for high blood pressure and a leading cause of it.
Fructose, a type of simple sugar, raises the levels of uric acid in the blood.This inhibits the production of nitric oxide needed to help your blood vessels maintain flexibility, so when levels of NO are lowered, you can experience a rise in blood pressure.
Sugars in processed foods are considered a main driver of hypertension, especially “added sugars” rather than those that occur naturally in fruit or milk.
Furthermore, research suggests that sugar intake can actually increase salt sensitivity, leading to the enhanced negative effects of sodium on blood pressure.A 2017 research study, in fact, discovered an association between sugar intake and high blood pressure in older women.
Sugar consumption, therefore, leads to specific impacts that can contribute to hypertension.
What Are Advanced Glycation End Products?Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are potentially harmful compounds that exist in the body and in foods. They are formed when protein or fat combine with sugar. Within foods, they are sometimes referred to as dietary advanced glycation end products (dAGEs). They are linked toinflammationand higher levels of oxidative stressors that are themselves linked to both heart disease and diabetes.
What Are Advanced Glycation End Products?
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are potentially harmful compounds that exist in the body and in foods. They are formed when protein or fat combine with sugar. Within foods, they are sometimes referred to as dietary advanced glycation end products (dAGEs). They are linked toinflammationand higher levels of oxidative stressors that are themselves linked to both heart disease and diabetes.
A Word From VerywellSugar, especially the kind found in processed foods, can be a significant driver of high blood pressure. High levels of sugar can also lead to obesity and diabetes. Make sure to be aware of the types of foods you eat daily and try to prioritize fruits, vegetables, and whole grains over processed foods.—CHRISTOPHER LEE, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Sugar, especially the kind found in processed foods, can be a significant driver of high blood pressure. High levels of sugar can also lead to obesity and diabetes. Make sure to be aware of the types of foods you eat daily and try to prioritize fruits, vegetables, and whole grains over processed foods.—CHRISTOPHER LEE, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Sugar, especially the kind found in processed foods, can be a significant driver of high blood pressure. High levels of sugar can also lead to obesity and diabetes. Make sure to be aware of the types of foods you eat daily and try to prioritize fruits, vegetables, and whole grains over processed foods.
—CHRISTOPHER LEE, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Causes Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is closely linked to hypertension, and together they lead to an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Hyperinsulinemiaoccurs when the level of insulin in your blood is higher than normal. Insulin is a hormone that pulls glucose from the food you eat into cells, where it is used for energy.
It is one of the diagnostic criteria fortype 2 diabetes, a condition that develops when the body becomes less sensitive to insulin and cannot use it effectively to turn sugar into energy. If left untreated, hyperinsulinemia can lead to high blood pressure as well.
Studies have shown that roughly half of those with hypertension have either hyperinsulinemia orglucose intolerance.
Diabetes can cause hypertension. High blood pressure may also lead to diabetes. A risk factor like obesity can bring on both conditions.
Leads to Obesity
Sugar raises blood pressure when its consumption leads to other health conditions, including obesity. Too much added sugar in your diet is a risk factor for the development of obesity.
Added sugars include sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup in processed foods. They also can contribute to metabolic disorders like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (now calledmetabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD).High blood pressure is often seen in people with metabolic disorders or syndromes.
Obesity is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure.The risk is even greater for Black people diagnosed with obesity.
Obesity and Heart Disease Risk in Black People
Damages Your Blood Vessels
With less nitric oxide, blood vessels become less flexible, contributing to hypertension, inflammation in blood vessels, andatherosclerosis(plaque buildup on the inner walls of cells), which is a known risk factor ofheart disease.
Dietary Changes to Help Lower Your Blood Pressure
Tips like starting the day with a nutrient-rich smoothie, enjoying fresh fruits, and ensuring adequate water intake can help control cravings and might keep you from eating processed sugar.
Choose a diet that’s rich in the following:
Be sure to limit your intake of saturated and trans fats, sodium, red meat (choose the leanest cuts available if you are eating red meat), and sweets and sugar-sweetened beverages.
There is some evidence to suggest that supplementing your diet with L-glutamine may be beneficial. One study demonstrated that, in overweight people and those with obesity, the effect of L-glutamine supplementation on gut microbiota was similar to that of weight loss programs.
Summary
Sugar consumption can affect blood pressure, just as salt does. The effects of sugar can lead to hypertension through several different pathways.
When sugar consumption (especially added sugars) affects nitric oxide levels, it changes how well your blood vessels work. The resulting vasoconstriction can cause high blood pressure. Sugars also can contribute to insulin resistance and obesity, which are linked to diabetes and other illnesses in which high blood pressure also is common.
If you are looking to reduce your risk for hypertension and associated conditions, eating less sugar, especially processed sugar, is a great first step. High blood pressure over time can damage the coronary arteries and lead to other health consequences. Speak with your healthcare provider about next steps and how to make adjustments to your diet.
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14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bryan NS.Nitric oxide deficiency is a primary driver of hypertension.Biochem Pharmacol. 2022 Dec;206:115325. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115325.Herman MA, Birnbaum MJ.Molecular aspects of fructose metabolism and metabolic disease.Cell Metab. 2021 Dec 7;33(12):2329-2354. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.09.010.DiNicolantonio JJ, Lucan SC.The wrong white crystals: not salt but sugar as aetiological in hypertension and cardiometabolic disease.Open Heart. 2014 Nov 3;1(1):e000167. doi:10.1136/openhrt-2014-000167Preuss HG, Clouatre D, Swaroop A, Bagchi M, Bagchi D, Kaats GR.Blood pressure regulation: reviewing evidence for interplay between common dietary sugars and table salt.J Am Coll Nutr. 2017;36(8):677-684. doi.10.1080/07315724.2017.1345338Mansoori S, Kushner N, Suminski RR, Farquhar WB, Chai SC.Added sugar intake is associated with blood pressure in older females.Nutrients. 2019;11(9):2060. Published 2019 Sep 3. doi:10.3390/nu11092060Uribarri J, Woodruff S, Goodman S, et al.Advanced glycation end products in foods and a practical guide to their reduction in the diet.J Am Diet Assoc. 2010;110(6):911-16.e12. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2010.03.018Zhou MS, Wang A, Yu H.Link between insulin resistance and hypertension: What is the evidence from evolutionary biology?.Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2014;6(1):12. doi:10.1186/1758-5996-6-12Weyer C, Hanson RL, Tataranni PA, Bogardus C, Pratley RE.A high fasting plasma insulin concentration predicts type 2 diabetes independent of insulin resistance: evidence for a pathogenic role of relative hyperinsulinemia.Diabetes. 2000;49(12):2094-2101. doi: 10.2337/diabetes.49.12.2094Zhou MS, Wang A, Yu H.Link between insulin resistance and hypertension: What is the evidence from evolutionary biology?Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2014 Jan 31;6(1):12. doi:10.1186/1758-5996-6-12Tsimihodimos V, Gonzalez-Villalpando C, Meigs JB, Ferrannini E.Hypertension and diabetes mellitus: coprediction and time trajectories.Hypertension. 2018;71(3):422-428. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.117.10546Johns Hopkins Medicine.Obesity, sugar and heart health.Powell-Wiley TM, Poirier P, Burke LE, et al.Obesity and cardiovascular disease: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2021;143(21). doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000973American Heart Association.Managing blood pressure with a heart-healthy diet.de Souza AZ, Zambom AZ, Abboud KY, et al.Oral supplementation with L-glutamine alters gut microbiota of obese and overweight adults: A pilot study.Nutrition. 2015;31(6):884-889. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2015.01.004
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bryan NS.Nitric oxide deficiency is a primary driver of hypertension.Biochem Pharmacol. 2022 Dec;206:115325. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115325.Herman MA, Birnbaum MJ.Molecular aspects of fructose metabolism and metabolic disease.Cell Metab. 2021 Dec 7;33(12):2329-2354. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.09.010.DiNicolantonio JJ, Lucan SC.The wrong white crystals: not salt but sugar as aetiological in hypertension and cardiometabolic disease.Open Heart. 2014 Nov 3;1(1):e000167. doi:10.1136/openhrt-2014-000167Preuss HG, Clouatre D, Swaroop A, Bagchi M, Bagchi D, Kaats GR.Blood pressure regulation: reviewing evidence for interplay between common dietary sugars and table salt.J Am Coll Nutr. 2017;36(8):677-684. doi.10.1080/07315724.2017.1345338Mansoori S, Kushner N, Suminski RR, Farquhar WB, Chai SC.Added sugar intake is associated with blood pressure in older females.Nutrients. 2019;11(9):2060. Published 2019 Sep 3. doi:10.3390/nu11092060Uribarri J, Woodruff S, Goodman S, et al.Advanced glycation end products in foods and a practical guide to their reduction in the diet.J Am Diet Assoc. 2010;110(6):911-16.e12. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2010.03.018Zhou MS, Wang A, Yu H.Link between insulin resistance and hypertension: What is the evidence from evolutionary biology?.Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2014;6(1):12. doi:10.1186/1758-5996-6-12Weyer C, Hanson RL, Tataranni PA, Bogardus C, Pratley RE.A high fasting plasma insulin concentration predicts type 2 diabetes independent of insulin resistance: evidence for a pathogenic role of relative hyperinsulinemia.Diabetes. 2000;49(12):2094-2101. doi: 10.2337/diabetes.49.12.2094Zhou MS, Wang A, Yu H.Link between insulin resistance and hypertension: What is the evidence from evolutionary biology?Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2014 Jan 31;6(1):12. doi:10.1186/1758-5996-6-12Tsimihodimos V, Gonzalez-Villalpando C, Meigs JB, Ferrannini E.Hypertension and diabetes mellitus: coprediction and time trajectories.Hypertension. 2018;71(3):422-428. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.117.10546Johns Hopkins Medicine.Obesity, sugar and heart health.Powell-Wiley TM, Poirier P, Burke LE, et al.Obesity and cardiovascular disease: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2021;143(21). doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000973American Heart Association.Managing blood pressure with a heart-healthy diet.de Souza AZ, Zambom AZ, Abboud KY, et al.Oral supplementation with L-glutamine alters gut microbiota of obese and overweight adults: A pilot study.Nutrition. 2015;31(6):884-889. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2015.01.004
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Bryan NS.Nitric oxide deficiency is a primary driver of hypertension.Biochem Pharmacol. 2022 Dec;206:115325. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115325.Herman MA, Birnbaum MJ.Molecular aspects of fructose metabolism and metabolic disease.Cell Metab. 2021 Dec 7;33(12):2329-2354. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.09.010.DiNicolantonio JJ, Lucan SC.The wrong white crystals: not salt but sugar as aetiological in hypertension and cardiometabolic disease.Open Heart. 2014 Nov 3;1(1):e000167. doi:10.1136/openhrt-2014-000167Preuss HG, Clouatre D, Swaroop A, Bagchi M, Bagchi D, Kaats GR.Blood pressure regulation: reviewing evidence for interplay between common dietary sugars and table salt.J Am Coll Nutr. 2017;36(8):677-684. doi.10.1080/07315724.2017.1345338Mansoori S, Kushner N, Suminski RR, Farquhar WB, Chai SC.Added sugar intake is associated with blood pressure in older females.Nutrients. 2019;11(9):2060. Published 2019 Sep 3. doi:10.3390/nu11092060Uribarri J, Woodruff S, Goodman S, et al.Advanced glycation end products in foods and a practical guide to their reduction in the diet.J Am Diet Assoc. 2010;110(6):911-16.e12. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2010.03.018Zhou MS, Wang A, Yu H.Link between insulin resistance and hypertension: What is the evidence from evolutionary biology?.Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2014;6(1):12. doi:10.1186/1758-5996-6-12Weyer C, Hanson RL, Tataranni PA, Bogardus C, Pratley RE.A high fasting plasma insulin concentration predicts type 2 diabetes independent of insulin resistance: evidence for a pathogenic role of relative hyperinsulinemia.Diabetes. 2000;49(12):2094-2101. doi: 10.2337/diabetes.49.12.2094Zhou MS, Wang A, Yu H.Link between insulin resistance and hypertension: What is the evidence from evolutionary biology?Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2014 Jan 31;6(1):12. doi:10.1186/1758-5996-6-12Tsimihodimos V, Gonzalez-Villalpando C, Meigs JB, Ferrannini E.Hypertension and diabetes mellitus: coprediction and time trajectories.Hypertension. 2018;71(3):422-428. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.117.10546Johns Hopkins Medicine.Obesity, sugar and heart health.Powell-Wiley TM, Poirier P, Burke LE, et al.Obesity and cardiovascular disease: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2021;143(21). doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000973American Heart Association.Managing blood pressure with a heart-healthy diet.de Souza AZ, Zambom AZ, Abboud KY, et al.Oral supplementation with L-glutamine alters gut microbiota of obese and overweight adults: A pilot study.Nutrition. 2015;31(6):884-889. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2015.01.004
Bryan NS.Nitric oxide deficiency is a primary driver of hypertension.Biochem Pharmacol. 2022 Dec;206:115325. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115325.
Herman MA, Birnbaum MJ.Molecular aspects of fructose metabolism and metabolic disease.Cell Metab. 2021 Dec 7;33(12):2329-2354. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.09.010.
DiNicolantonio JJ, Lucan SC.The wrong white crystals: not salt but sugar as aetiological in hypertension and cardiometabolic disease.Open Heart. 2014 Nov 3;1(1):e000167. doi:10.1136/openhrt-2014-000167
Preuss HG, Clouatre D, Swaroop A, Bagchi M, Bagchi D, Kaats GR.Blood pressure regulation: reviewing evidence for interplay between common dietary sugars and table salt.J Am Coll Nutr. 2017;36(8):677-684. doi.10.1080/07315724.2017.1345338
Mansoori S, Kushner N, Suminski RR, Farquhar WB, Chai SC.Added sugar intake is associated with blood pressure in older females.Nutrients. 2019;11(9):2060. Published 2019 Sep 3. doi:10.3390/nu11092060
Uribarri J, Woodruff S, Goodman S, et al.Advanced glycation end products in foods and a practical guide to their reduction in the diet.J Am Diet Assoc. 2010;110(6):911-16.e12. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2010.03.018
Zhou MS, Wang A, Yu H.Link between insulin resistance and hypertension: What is the evidence from evolutionary biology?.Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2014;6(1):12. doi:10.1186/1758-5996-6-12
Weyer C, Hanson RL, Tataranni PA, Bogardus C, Pratley RE.A high fasting plasma insulin concentration predicts type 2 diabetes independent of insulin resistance: evidence for a pathogenic role of relative hyperinsulinemia.Diabetes. 2000;49(12):2094-2101. doi: 10.2337/diabetes.49.12.2094
Zhou MS, Wang A, Yu H.Link between insulin resistance and hypertension: What is the evidence from evolutionary biology?Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2014 Jan 31;6(1):12. doi:10.1186/1758-5996-6-12
Tsimihodimos V, Gonzalez-Villalpando C, Meigs JB, Ferrannini E.Hypertension and diabetes mellitus: coprediction and time trajectories.Hypertension. 2018;71(3):422-428. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.117.10546
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Obesity, sugar and heart health.
Powell-Wiley TM, Poirier P, Burke LE, et al.Obesity and cardiovascular disease: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2021;143(21). doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000973
American Heart Association.Managing blood pressure with a heart-healthy diet.
de Souza AZ, Zambom AZ, Abboud KY, et al.Oral supplementation with L-glutamine alters gut microbiota of obese and overweight adults: A pilot study.Nutrition. 2015;31(6):884-889. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2015.01.004
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