Moderate amounts of beer are known to have some benefits, including a slight increase in your good cholesterol, states the American Heart Association. However, alcohol has varying effects on blood pressure in individuals. Therefore, discussing your beer-drinking habits with your physician is important to ensure optimal blood pressure monitoring and control. Drinking more than the recommended one glass per day for women or two glasses for men puts you at a serious risk for health problems.
Blood Pressure in Men
Researchers at the University of Western Australia wanted to determine the effects of beer drinking on blood pressure in men. In the study, published in the April 2005 issue of "Hypertension," Zilkens et al. recorded the blood pressures of a group of men who drank one liter of beer, or about three bottles, per day for four weeks. They found that the systolic blood pressure, or pressure during heart contraction, increased 1.9 mm Hg. Therefore, this study suggests that drinking beer slightly elevates blood pressure. However, three beers per day is more than the recommended limit.
Blood Pressure in Women
A July 2009 item featured on CBS News states that women may not experience an elevation in blood pressure with beer drinking. The findings were based on The Nurses' Health Study, in which 70,000 nurses were examined to determine a link between beer drinking and high blood pressure. Researchers found that women who drank one beer per day had less risk of hypertension than women who drank wine or liquor. Therefore, one beer per day for a woman may be beneficial to prevent high blood pressure.
Effects of Too Much Alcohol
Regardless of gender, the American Heart Association states that drinking too much alcohol may cause high blood pressure, among other serious health complications. Therefore, a woman drinking more than 1.5 oz. of 80-proof liquor, 4 oz. of wine or 12 oz. of beer may be at risk for health complications secondary to excessive alcohol use. Men are allowed two servings without serious risk of complications. Keeping beer drinking to a minimum is a safe approach.
Recommendations
If you do not drink beer, do not start drinking beer to lower your blood pressure or for any other reason. Most of the vitamins and nutrients you need for healthy living can be obtained through eating a healthy diet. If you do drink beer, avoid binge drinking. Always ask your doctor if it is okay for you to drink beer or other alcohol, particularly if you have liver damage or are taking medications.
