Two disorders that often occur together — type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure — may have a common link in a hormone called aldosterone, researchers suggest.

Aldosterone has already been implicated in the development of high blood pressure (hypertension). Now, a new study reports that people with higher levels of aldosterone had more than twice the odds of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers also found that the link between aldosterone and diabetes was stronger among some racial groups.

Aldosterone is a hormone that helps the body hold onto sodium. It also helps regulate the body’s fluid levels, according to the researchers.

Aldosterone can increase how much sodium the kidneys take in. When this happens, overall fluid levels in the body increase and blood vessels constrict. These factors can lead to high blood pressure.

The two major causes of type 2 diabetes are an inability to utilize insulin — ‘insulin resistance‘ — or impaired insulin secretion from the pancreas,” Aldosterone has been shown to cause insulin resistance in muscle, and impair insulin secretion from the pancreas.”.

Overall, the study found that people who had elevated aldosterone levels were more than twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

Although it’s too early to apply these findings to clinical care, people can lower their aldosterone levels through a healthy lifestyle. That includes eating healthy foods, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and not smoking.