 Sailors, listen up! Before you pop open that energy drink or run to the vending machine for your next soda fix, you need to hear this. Hypertension is one of the biggest health risks caused by sugar and claims nearly 350,000 deaths each year. New research from the British Medical Journal has revealed that monitoring sugar intake is vital in maintaining control of your health. Heart disease is the leading cause of premature death in the developed world and hypertension alone has a price tag of nearly $50 billion annually. New studies show that processed foods, which have the highest concentration of high-fructose corn syrup, should be targeted and eliminated from your diet. Simple carbohydrates like breads, pasta and white rice can also lead to a higher risk in heart disease and should be avoided. To stay heart healthy, it is best to eat more vegetables and consume fruits for their natural sugars. For more health and fitness advice, visit NavyFitness.org.