One out of 3 adults in the United States has high blood pressure, a major contributor to cardiovascular disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Limiting salt intake and watching your weight are well-known ways to help prevent hypertension, but what you may not know is that drinking beer can also raise your chances of developing high blood pressure. While light drinking may not pose much of a risk to healthy individuals, heavier consumption can be a cause for concern -- particularly if you already have other risk factors for the condition.
Role of Alcohol
The alcohol content in beer may put you at greater risk for developing hypertension; in fact, your blood pressure increases about 1 mm Hg for every 10 g of alcohol you consume, according to a study published in September 2006 in the journal "Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology." Excessive drinking is of particular concern as binging causes temporary spikes in blood pressure. Continual alcohol abuse may lead to chronic hypertension. According to findings published in June 2009 in the Spanish Society of Cardiology's journal, "Revista Espanola de Cardiologia," among study participants who drank, those who drank beer or spirits were more likely to develop hypertension than those who drank wine.
Weight Gain
Another concern is the number of calories in beer. One drink -- which is considered 12 oz. of beer -- can contain well over 100 calories. Regularly consuming beer, particularly multiple drinks at a time, may contribute to weight gain. Your body metabolizes alcohol before it turns to breaking down fat, making weight loss more of a challenge. Left unchecked, this could potentially lead to you becoming overweight -- a risk factor for high blood pressure.
Drug Interactions
If you already take medication for hypertension, drinking beer may cause certain interactions. Beta blockers, a class of drugs commonly prescribed for high blood pressure, may not work as effectively if you consume alcohol. In addition, hypertension drugs and alcohol can produce a number of serious side effects, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism cautions. These include fainting, dizziness and heart arrhythmia.
Moderation
Moderation is key if you plan to continue drinking alcohol. A February 2008 study in the American Heart Association's "Hypertension" journal revealed that low to moderate drinking did not increase hypertension risk in men or women. In contrast, drinking two or more alcoholic drinks a day -- or two beers -- can increase the likelihood of high blood pressure in both men and women. Talk with your doctor if you're planning to reduce how much you're drinking, as sudden abstinence may affect your blood pressure as well.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: May Is High Blood Pressure Education Month
- "Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology"; Alcohol Is Bad for Blood Pressure; I.B. Puddey, et al.; September 2006
- MayoClinic.com; Alcohol: Does It Affect Your Blood Pressure?; Sheldon G. Sheps, M.D.; July 2010
- "Revista Espanola de Cardiologia"; Alcohol Consumption and the Incidence of Hypertension in a Mediterranean Cohort: The SUN Study; J.M. Nunez-Cordoba, et al.; June 2009
- Columbia University Health Services: Go Ask Alice!; Do Drinking and Weight Loss Mix?; October 2002
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Harmful Interactions: Mixing Alcohol With Medicines
