Drinking fructose

6 lesser-known causes of high blood pressure

Could you be at risk for high blood pressure — and not even know it?

By Lisa Bendall

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4. Drinking fructose

As if we need yet another reason to cut back on added sugar: In a 2010 study at the University of Colorado, men and women who consumed more fructose were more likely to develop high blood pressure. Fructose is a common ingredient in pop, fruit drinks, sports drinks and flavoured water. Want a drink that may help, instead of hinder, your hypertension? The University of Western Australia recently released evidence that three cups of black tea a day can significantly lower blood pressure.