The study sample was comprised of 18,953 subjects aged 18 years and older who participated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Preference for diet soda over regular soda was higher in females as compared to males and in Caucasians as compared to other races. Mean alcohol consumption was almost three times higher in males than in females. Undiagnosed hypertension was more common in males than in females, in 65-90 than in 50-64 year olds, and in people with less than high school education compared to those with higher education. Diastolic pressure was correlated with the level of consumption of diet soda, coffee, tea, and alcohol. Diet soda and alcohol consumption had a statistically significant positive relationship with hypertension even after adjusting for demographic variables and body mass index. The study provides useful information of the patterns of beverage uses and the prevalence of hypertension in the United States
