A new study published in the journal Circulation suggests cutting back on drinking soda and other sugary beverages may help lower blood pressure.

According to WebMD, researchers studied 810 adults aged 25 to 79 with pre-hypertension or early stage 1 hypertension who were taking part in an 18-month study designed to prevent or reduce high blood pressure with weight loss, exercise, and diet.

Study participants drank an average of 10.5 fluid ounces of sugar or high fructose corn syrup-sweetened beverages a day including non-diet soft drinks, fruit drinks, lemonade, and fruit punch when the study began.

Cutting their soda intake in half resulted in a 1.8 point reduction in systolic blood pressure and a 1.1 point drop in diastolic pressure, a reduction some healthcare officials call "substantial."

"Soda consumption is so popular and high blood pressure is a very significant health problem, and if you reduce sugary drinks, you will reduce your blood pressure in the short term and reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke over the long term," said researcher Liwei Chen, M.D., Ph.D.

According to the American Heart Association, hypertension increases the risk for heart attack, angina, stroke, kidney failure and peripheral artery disease.

In addition to lifestyle changes like weight loss and exercise, supplements containing potassium, calcium, fish oil, magnesium and garlic may help prevent it.