A sugary ingredient in processed snacks and soft drinks is putting millions at risk of high blood pressure, new research has revealed.

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is abundant in many types of foods and beverages and was originally viewed as a "healthy" method of sweetening. Its introduction 20 years ago has caused consumption of the fruit sugar fructose to rise sharply, alongside increasing levels of obesity. Americans today consumed 30% more fructose than they did 20 years ago and up to four times more than they did 100 years ago, said the researchers. Large quantities of fructose cause the liver to pump fats into the bloodstream that may damage arteries.