Although being told you have high blood pressure can be frustrating and scary, it’s a common diagnosis that many people are able to manage while still living a very normal life.
There are many risk factors involved in high blood pressure, including things like age, stress, smoking, genetics, preexisting conditions, and a poor-quality diet. Many of these factors can be altered with minor lifestyle changes, and it’s important to talk with your doctor about changes to make in order to prevent your high blood pressure from leading to further complications.
The CDC recommends that people limit their consumption of alcohol in order to lower their blood pressure levels. This often has people wondering if they can still enjoy their favorite wine from time to time if they have high blood pressure. According to Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD at Balance One Supplements, the short answer is yes and no.
“When it comes to alcohol and chronic conditions, the easy answer is to abstain. However, this may not be a possible reality for some individuals who have hypertension and want to enjoy a glass of wine on occasion,” says Best. “So for these individuals, wine might be a fine addition to their regimen if consumed in moderation.”
Read on to learn more about how wine can affect your blood pressure levels. And for more health tips check out 5 Warning Signs You Should Drink Wine Immediately.
How wine can affect your blood pressure
Too much alcohol can impact your blood pressure in multiple ways. “For one, the hormone renin causes blood vessels to contract, and alcohol increases the production of this hormone,” says Best. “Therefore, alcohol consumption can cause the blood vessels to constrict much more than normal and therefore increase the pressure placed on these vessels, resulting in high blood pressure.”
According to Medical News Today, alcohol also impacts a person’s blood pressure through their cortisol levels, which is a stress-regulating hormone.
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“It can also interfere with some blood pressure medications for those that have a current hypertension diagnosis and are medicated,” says Best. “This interaction can either reduce the amount of medication the body receives or cause negative side effects.”
It’s also helpful to think about how drinking too much wine can impact your weight, which can impact your blood pressure. “Wine contains empty calories, which can lead to weight gain and increased blood pressure as a result,” says Best, “so this is something to keep in mind for those dealing with high blood pressure.”
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Always consume in moderation
If you talk with your doctor about your blood pressure and decide that you still want to incorporate wine into your diet, there are a few helpful tips to remember.
To start, you’ll want to always consume alcohol in moderation. “Moderation is one drink per day for women and two drinks a day for men,” says Best.
According to a report on alcohol and blood pressure, alcohol can impact someone’s blood pressure differently depending on their age, sex, and overall health condition, which is why it’s extra important to talk with your doctor about your individual needs. And if you still want to enjoy some wine, Best suggests choosing something like a pinot noir.
“Pinot Noir is one of the healthiest wines you can consume due to its low level of tannins and high concentrations of resveratrol, and this type of wine is typically lower in sugar and calories than other varieties.”
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