Study: Soda may increase high blood pressure risk

Drinking coffee doesn't seem to cause long-term high blood pressure, a study suggests. But for some reason, women in the same study who drank sodas did seem to have a greater risk of high blood pressure. Researchers were surprised at that and cautioned that the study wasn't conclusive. Caffeine is a well-known ingredient in both beverages, and has been shown to cause short-term increases in blood pressure. The study group examined data on 155,594 mostly white female nurses aged 55 on average who took part in two long-running health studies. They were questioned periodically about their diets and health and followed over 12 years. About 33,000 were diagnosed with high blood pressure. Those who drank at least four cans of sugared cola drinks daily had a 28 percent to 44 percent increased risk of high blood pressure, compared with women who drank few or none. Diet sodas also increased the risk, although slightly less than the non-diet drinks.