Abstract MP038: Soft Drink Consumption Increases the Risk of Hypertension in Korean Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Introduction: Several previous studies have reported that consumption of soft drink is associated with increased risk of hypertension (HTN) in Western societies. However, epidemiological information on such associations is very limited in Koreans. Hypothesis: We tested the hypothesis whether an increase in soft drink consumption is related to higher risk of HTN among Korean middle aged adults from Korean community based Cohort (Ansan-Ansung cohort). Methods: Data from Ansan-Ansung cohort from 2001 to 2010 in the Korean genome and epidemiology study (KoGES) were used for statistical analyses. Among the participants, we selected 5,296 subjects (2,475 men and 2,821 women, aged 39-64 yrs) who were free from presence of HTN, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer at baseline and those who completely followed up for 10.4 years. Participants who completed a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire for dietary assessment and questionnaire for baseline health status in 2001-2002 were included in analyses. Subjects were categorized as quartile based on their soft drink consumption. Soft drink consumption was calculated as frequency per week summed up by consumption frequency of soda (such as Coke and Sprite) and other beverages (including sweet rice drink and Citrus tea). To assess the relationship between soft drink consumption and HTN, we estimated multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using cox regression analysis. In addition, stratified analysis by body mass index (BMI) was conducted. Results: During the follow-up period of 10.4 years, we ascertained 1,035 incident cases (19.5% of study population) of HTN. Total soft drink consumption showed significant association with increased risk for HTN after adjusting for potential confounders (age, sex, total energy intake, BMI, and socio-economic factors). The adjusted HR of HTN for the highest quartile of soft drink consumption was 1.24 (95% CIs: 1.02-1.51) compared to the lowest quartile. Furthermore, we found that higher consumption of soft drink was significantly associated with increased incidence of HTN in subjects with BMI ≥25 (HR: 1.54; 95% CIs: 1.15-2.01), whereas there was no significant association among subjects with BMI <25. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study suggested that soft drink consumption contributes to increased risk of HTN, being prominent in obese participants. Our results support recommendations to reduce the consumption of soft drink to prevent and control HTN, although further large prospective studies or randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm the observed association.