SOFT DRINKS HAVE been linked to hypertension - with new findings suggesting that blood pressure is raised for every can of sugary drink consumed – a new study has indicated.

Experts have said that drinking more than 355ml of soft drinks in a day may cause blood pressure to rise by disrupting blood vessel tone and salt levels, based on research involving more than 2,500 people. The study was carried out by British and American researchers and appears in the journal Hypertension.

The American Heart Association recommends that no more than three 355ml cans of fizzy drinks are consumed in a week.

The study found that those who consumed more sugary drinks consumed more calories and had worse diets overall – however, even after adjusting factors such as height and weight, the link to increased blood pressure was still significant, reports the BBC.

IrishHealth.com explains that, if left untreated, high blood pressure can cause range of problems, including atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), kidney damage and heart disease – the leading cause of death worldwide. It also doubles a person’s likelihood of suffering a stroke.

The study’s senior author, Prof Paul Elliott, said:  ”It’s widely known that if you have too much salt in your diet, you’re more likely to develop high blood pressure. The results of this study suggest that people should be careful about how much sugar they consume as well”.