Saturday Aug 13 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study led by Researchers at University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware suggests that fruit consumption can help prevent high blood pressure or hypertension.

The study found eating added sugar increased both mean arterial pressure and systolic blood pressure while eating fruits (solid fruits but not juice) decreased mean arterial pressure, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels.

The study was based on data from 128 men and women aged 65 to 80 years.

High blood pressure or hypertension is a silent killer.  It is associated with strokes and heart attacks among other things.  About 23% of Americans live with high blood pressure.   A healthy lifestyle including a healthy diet is needed to prevent high blood pressure.

Sheau C Chai, Kristina Davis, Regina S Wright, Ryan Pohlig, Julia Saltzgiver, Alexandra Caulfield and Danielle Falk, Added Sugars in the Diet Are Positively Associated with Mean Arterial Pressure and Systolic Blood Pressure in Older Adults, The FASEB Journal, vol. 30 no. 1 Supplement 1154.3, April 2016