The consumption of too much sugar, especially fructose, is making Americans fat. The incidence of high blood pressure and diabetese continues to soar. Approximately 25 percent of all Americans are diabetic or pre-diabetic.
Other health problems linked to excess sugar are spiralling. The increase in these health issues in the last century has been explosive.
Too much fructose causes insulin resistance which can eventually cause diabetes. Too much fructose appears to create elevated uric acid levels. These elevated uric acid levels can cause gout, high blood pressure, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and fatty liver. Triglyceride and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels can rise. Pregnant women are vulnerable to preeclampsia.
"Today, the average American is consuming 56 gallons of soda and 152 pounds of sugar-based sweeteners annually. Soda consumption has risen by 70 percent since 1977. Ten to 20 percent of children’s calories come from sugar -- and the top 20 percent of sugar-addicted children are getting 40 percent of their calories from sugar every single day."
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/05/25/startling-research-findings-a-newly-discovered-cause-of-high-blood-pressure-and-obesity.aspx