“Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever.” — Aristophanes
As confusing as it may seem, in small quantities, alcohol can be beneficial for health. But an excess can produce so much damage, that any trace of a benefit is erased.
How can drinking alcohol increase your blood pressure?
The results of several studies indicate that drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can contribute to raising your BP to unhealthy levels. If you suffer from Hypertension, avoid alcohol or drink it only in moderation.
Can moderate drinking lower blood pressure?
As a matter of fact, research shows that heavy drinkers who cut back to moderate drinking succeeded to lower their systolic blood pressure (the greater number in your blood pressure reading) by 2 – 4 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and their diastolic BP (the lower number in a blood pressure reading) by 1 to 2 mm Hg.
And what is considered to be moderate drinking?
Generally,
— Men younger than age 65 — two drinks a day can be considered as moderate drinking
— Men age 65 and older — one drink a day
— For women of any age — one drink a day is considered as moderate drinking.
NOTE: Pregnant women or people whose family has an alcohol related background must be extremely cautious and, if possible, not drink at all.
How much is a drink?
12 ounces (355 milliliters) of beer, 5 ounces (148 milliliters) of wine or 1.5 ounces (44 milliliters) of 80-proof distilled spirits — content of about 14 -15gr alcohol 100% — are defined as a drink.
Keep in mind that alcohol is loaded with empty calories that may contribute to weight gain. Remember, that weight gain is another risk factor for inducing high blood pressure.
In addition, many medications and pharmacy drugs can interfere with alcohol. As a result it can lead to lower effectiveness or even increase the side-effects of some BP medications. Together with your doctor you’ll conclude whether to enjoy a glass of wine or a beer, or this can seriously affect your health and well-being.