A high blood pressure diet is commonly associated with foods high in fructose corn syrup. Sweet soft drinks, fruit juices and most candies contain high fructose corn syrup. HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) increases your risk of chronic and deadly health problems, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease; it can also raise your cholesterol levels.
What are the side effects of high cholesterol in men?
Studies conducted by the University of Colorado Denver Health Services suggests a strong link between hypertension and high cholesterol. According to the study, as little as two and a half sodas per day correspond to 74 grams of fructose and increase the risk of high blood pressure. The risk for hypertension increases as cholesterol levels increase.
This study suggests that lowering the intake of high fructose corn syrup can have a great impact on decreasing blood pressure. Hypertension can also be a major cause of erectile dysfunction. The effects of hypertension in men can have serious issues on sexual health. A healthy diet is one way to help combat the problem.
High Fructose Corn Syrup – a Recipe for High Blood Pressure
High fructose corn syrup acts as sweetener and a preservative at the same time. It is created through the conversion of glucose from corn starch to fructose. The end product is a combination of glucose and fructose. This kind of sugar enhances the shelf life of the food.
During the 60’s, high fructose corn syrup was commonly used as a replacement for sugar and due to the increased cost of sugar in the market. This corn-based product is cheaper, as a result it became prevalent in the American diet. HFCS is generally manufactured from genetically modified corn and not natural and definitely not healthy. An increasing rate of obesity in the US is partially because of this ‘high blood pressure diet’.
A High blood pressure diet mainly consists of sweets and other foods containing high fructose corn syrup. Some critics say that high fructose corn syrup makes sweet foods cheaper and more readily available. Other critics believe that it is the direct cause of an obesity crisis.
Obesity leads to hypertension and increases the risk of high cholesterol and impotence in men. Sugary foods lower “good” cholesterol and raise triglycerides in the bloodstream. As a result, increasing levels of triglyceride predispose men to abnormal levels of cholesterol. High cholesterol and hypertension are one of the major causes of erectile dysfunction.
There are numerous studies, but one published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that only two weeks of moderate consumption of high fructose corn syrup caused cholesterol and triglycerides levels to rise and the risk was greater in men than in women.*
Ways for Men to Reduce High Cholesterol
One of the easiest ways to reduce high fructose corn syrup in the diet is through reading the label of the foods you purchase. Careful selection of foods is necessary to avoid buying foods high in fructose. Sugary foods like soft drinks, lemonade, iced tea, sweet drinks and even those sold as ‘natural’ often contain high amounts of fructose. Other sources of high fructose corn syrup include: cereals, bread, pastries, cookies, ice cream and even salad dressings.
Reducing the occurence of hypertension, in addition to regular medical care and taking appropriate medications, is all about changing your lifestyle. Eating the right food and proper exercise is the best way in dealing with diet related disorders. Most everyone loves to indulge their sweet tooth, but proper control and a wise selection of foods are a very important step towards a healthy body.
*Source: UC Davis, Sugary Drinks Boost Risk Factors for Heart Disease.
