Blood
Best alcohol for high blood pressure: Can it help?
Nov
Some studies suggest low amounts of alcohol may lower blood pressure. However, further research indicates alcohol can actually cause hypertension.
Blood pressure is the pressure the blood exerts as it pushes against the artery walls. Sometimes, blood pressure levels may be too high or too low. High blood pressure is called hypertension. Low blood pressure is called hypotension.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that if a person has hypertension, they may have a higher risk of conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and heart disease.
Some studies suggest low amounts of alcohol may help reduce blood pressure or risk of heart disease. However, the CDC states these findings may be due to other lifestyle differences between people who drink moderately and those who do not.
Read on to learn more about alcohol and blood pressure, as well as what drinks may benefit a person who has hypertension and when to talk with a doctor.
According to the CDC, the reported health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption may be inaccurate.
The CDC notes it is impossible to know whether these health benefits are due to drinking low amounts of alcohol, or whether they are due to differences in genetics or behaviors of people who drink moderately compared with those who do not.
Additionally, the American Heart Association states that the idea that red wine is good for the heart may be untrue. The organization suggests the results of studies that report the heart benefits of red wine may instead have a basis in lifestyle factors other than alcohol.
A study from 2019 looked into the effects of aged white wine consumption in males with a high risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found this group had a reduced risk of hypertension after drinking 30 grams, about 2 tablespoons, of a specific form of aged white wine every day for 3 weeks.
However, researchers noted that a 3-week trial was not long enough to determine the long-term effects of drinking 30 grams of aged white wine per day.
The study also had some conflicts of interest. Some researchers are involved in organizations with ties to the alcohol industry.
Other research from 2019 found that there was a significant link between moderate alcohol consumption and a risk of hypertension. Researchers qualify moderate drinking as 7–13 drinks per week.
Various drinks may help improve a person’s blood pressure. These include:
Tea
Research indicates that different types of tea may lower blood pressure.
A study from 2023 found that tea consumption could help reduce a person’s risk of hypertension by 10%. Researchers noted this effect varied depending on the type of tea a person drank.
A 2019 study suggests that drinking hibiscus tea twice per day alongside lifestyle and dietary strategies may help reduce blood pressure in people with stage 1 hypertension.
Beetroot juice
A research review from 2022 analyzed studies that gave participants with hypertension 70–250 milliliters (mL) of beetroot juice per day for 3–60 days.
Researchers found that people who drank beetroot juice had reduced systolic blood pressure compared with those who did not drink the juice. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure in a person’s arteries when their heart beats.
Orange juice
In a study from 2021, researchers gave 500 mL of orange juice, around 2 cups, daily to people with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension.
After 12 weeks, researchers noted that people taking hesperidin-enriched orange juice had reduced systolic blood pressure. Hesperidin is a compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
It is important to note the Florida Department of Citrus funded the study.
Pomegranate juice
A review from 2017 found that pomegranate juice could help reduce systolic blood pressure regardless of how long it was taken.
Additionally, doses of over 240 mL were also able to reduce diastolic blood pressure. Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats.
Certain drinks may be harmful for a person who has hypertension.
A 2022 study found that people with severe hypertension who drank 2 or more cups of coffee per day had a higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
A doctor may recommend a person with hypertension not to consume energy drinks. Research from 2019 found that drinking 32 ounces (oz) of energy drink in an hour could increase blood pressure.
Soda may also increase a person’s blood pressure. A study from 2022 found that increased intake of soda was associated with an increase in blood pressure.
Healthcare professionals may recommend people with hypertension decrease the amount of alcohol they consume.
The American Heart Association notes that hypertension usually does not cause any symptoms.
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion notes that people between the ages of 18 and 39 years who are not at risk of hypertension should have their blood pressure checked by a doctor at least every 3–5 years.
People over 40 years old or those with a higher risk of hypertension should have a doctor check their blood pressure at least once a year.
Early diagnosis may help people reduce their blood pressure before developing additional complications.
A person can speak with a qualified healthcare professional if they find it difficult to reduce their alcohol intake. A healthcare professional can help a person find treatment and support to help them stop drinking or lower their intake.
Some studies suggest low amounts of alcohol may provide health benefits. However, experts believe these effects may result from differences between people who drink moderately and those who do not.
Various drinks may help a person reduce their blood pressure, such as tea or beetroot juice. A person who has hypertension should avoid consuming too much caffeine or soda.
A person should speak to their doctor if they have concerns about their blood pressure or alcohol intake.
