Does drinking red wine cause high blood pressure?
According to Dr. Jane Kim, an internist in the US, alcohol immediately affects the central nervous system, causing blood vessels to constrict and increase heart rate, thereby increasing blood pressure. In the long term, alcohol also affects the central nervous systems that control blood pressure, contributing to chronic hypertension.
Drinking red wine every day, especially two or more glasses, can silently but significantly increase blood pressure. Cutting down on alcohol is one of the effective measures to control blood pressure in people who drink regularly," Dr. Kim recommends.
The American Heart Association (AHA) also recommends: women should limit 1 glass (147ml) of red wine per day, men should not exceed 2 glasses.
Resveratrol, a good active ingredient that is not enough to save red wine
Some studies have shown that resveratrol, an antioxidant in red wine, can help dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure. However, according to nutritionist Maggie Moon (MS, RD), this effect is very small if only through drinking alcohol.
To get enough of the beneficial resveratrol for your blood pressure, you will have to drink an alcohol intake that is far beyond the safe limit. And then the harmful effects of alcohol will be much greater than the potential benefits of resveratrol," said the Los Angeles expert.
Non-alcoholic red wine: Alternative?
A study in Spain once showed that non-alcoholic red wine can help temporarily reduce blood pressure. However, scientists say more data is needed to determine whether this is an effective and safe solution for people with high blood pressure.
For those who are taking medication to treat high blood pressure, drinking alcohol, including red wine, can cause dangerous interactions. Some drugs such as Amlodipine, Lisinopril, Losartan or Metoprolol when combined with alcohol can cause dizziness, low blood pressure, abnormal heart rate, and even fainting.
If you love red wine, you can continue to enjoy it, but you should consider it as part of a healthy lifestyle, with a Mediterranean diet, regular exercise and stress management, says Dr. Michael Miller, a cardiologist at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Absolutely do not use alcohol as a medicine".
Red wine is not a "medicine" for the heart or blood pressure as some rumors say. Conversely, drinking too much can cause blood pressure to increase, seriously affecting health. If you are receiving treatment for high blood pressure or have a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, consult your doctor before consuming any alcoholic beverage, including red wine.
