Hypertension, single sugars and fatty acids.

Macronutrients may induce various hemodynamic effects. In the fructose-fed rat blood pressure increase is associated with insulin resistance and enhanced sympathetic activity. In humans, oral glucose intake induces a slight and transient increase of blood pressure secondary to sympathetic activation. This increase may be higher in hypertensive subjects and followed by a significant fall in blood pressure in elderly subjects. Saturated fatty acid-enriched diet induces in male rats a significant increase in blood pressure related to sympathetic activation. Some observational and interventional studies suggest that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty-acids may reduce blood pressure in humans. Thus, both carbohydrates and fatty acid balance may contribute to blood pressure changes. The clinical relevance of these data should be evaluated in long-term trials, in particular in overweight and hypertensive subjects.