Many of us enjoy a drink or two to unwind after a long day or to celebrate a special occasion, but did you know that drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure to unhealthy levels? Alcohol contains empty calories that may contribute to unwanted weight gain — a risk factor for high blood pressure. And alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of, and increase the side effects, of some blood pressure medications.

If you enjoy a glass of wine, a beer, or a cocktail now and then and you have high blood pressure, remember to drink in moderation to protect your health.

What is considered moderate drinking?

The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that if alcohol is consumed it should be in moderation. Moderate alcohol consumption is defined as:

One drink per day for women and two drinks or less per day for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age. The Guidelines also recommend that individuals who do not drink alcohol do not start drinking for any reason, and that if adults of legal drinking age choose to drink alcoholic beverages, drinking less is better for health than drinking more. Some individuals should avoid alcohol completely.

A drink is 12 ounces (355 milliliters) of beer, 5 ounces (148 milliliters) of wine or 1.5 ounces (44 milliliters) of 80-proof distilled spirits.

Be drink aware

Alcoholic drinks contain empty calories. Empty calories are calories that give your body very little nutritional value. In fact, the calories derived from alcohol are mainly sugar-based which can cause weight gain.

A beer or glass of wine contains around 100 to 150 calories. If you regularly drink alcohol, don’t forget to calculate this into your daily calorie intake – just one drink a day over five days can easily reach 500 calories or more!

What is important to know about alcohol consumption in general?

  • Drinking more alcohol than is recommended can raise the levels of fats in the blood known as triglycerides. Triglycerides combine with another fat that circulates in your blood called cholesterol to form plaque. Plaque sticks to the walls of your arteries and can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
  • Excessive alcohol can also lead to high blood pressure, damage to the heart muscle, irregular heartbeats, brain damage, liver disease, increased risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, liver, and breast, and even death from alcohol poisoning. It can also lead to obesity and a higher risk of developing diabetes.
  • Drinking alcohol can affect your blood sugar. The sugar content of the alcohol can cause a rise in your blood sugar, which then drops as your body compensates by releasing insulin. It is recommended that you eat a meal or snack when you drink to keep your blood sugar from getting too low.
  • If you are taking medication regularly for diabetes or blood pressure for example consult your doctor potential interactions with alcohol.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not drink alcohol.

Although it is common to find articles talking about the benefits of moderate alcohol use (particularly red wine), the American Heart Association does not recommend drinking wine or any other form of alcohol to gain potential health benefits. A good and proven recommendation for maximum health benefits is to stay physically active, eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, stay away from tobacco, lower your cholesterol, and maintain a healthy weight.

  1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/ diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/blood-pressure/faq-20058254
  2. https://www.heart.org/en/ healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/alcohol-and-heart-health

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