New Study Finds Even Moderate Alcohol Consumption Increases Blood Pressure
A new study published in the journal Hypertension has found that even moderate alcohol consumption can increase blood pressure in both men and women, regardless of whether they have preexisting hypertension. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy, analyzed data from seven studies conducted between 1997 and 2021, involving over 19,000 adults aged 20 to 70.
The study found that as little as one alcoholic drink a day can increase systolic blood pressure, the top number in a blood pressure reading that represents the force of blood against artery walls when the heart contracts. The negative impact of alcohol on blood pressure was found to increase over time, even in individuals who drank small amounts each day.
In addition, the study found a small increase in diastolic blood pressure, the lower number in a blood pressure reading that measures pressure in the arteries as the heart muscle rests between beats, but only in men. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings contribute to cardiovascular risk, but systolic blood pressure is considered the most important risk factor in adults.
Dr. Marco Vinceti, the senior study author, emphasized the lack of beneficial effects of even low levels of alcohol consumption compared to abstaining from alcohol. “Limiting alcohol intake is advised, and avoiding it is even better,” said Vinceti. This finding challenges the belief that moderate alcohol consumption may have some cardiovascular benefits.
The study also highlighted the importance of accurately measuring alcohol intake, as different countries have different definitions of a “standard drink.” For example, the US defines a standard drink as 14 grams of alcohol, while the World Health Organization sets it at 10 grams. Researchers used statistical analysis to plot how various amounts of alcohol affected blood pressure over time.
Drinking an average of 12 grams of alcohol per day, which is less than one standard US drink, led to a small rise in systolic blood pressure over five years. In contrast, individuals who consumed an average of 48 grams of alcohol per day, or nearly 3.5 standard US drinks, experienced a significant increase in systolic blood pressure over the same time frame.
The study also found that the impact of alcohol on blood pressure was more significant in individuals whose readings were already trending upward at the start of the study. These findings suggest that people with a tendency towards increased blood pressure may benefit the most from lowering or eliminating alcohol consumption.
While there has been previous research suggesting that low to moderate alcohol consumption might be beneficial for the heart, the authors of this study argue that those studies often compared light drinkers with heavy drinkers, without considering individuals who completely abstained from alcohol. From a blood pressure perspective, the researchers believe that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Dr. Andrew Freeman, who was not involved in the study, suggested that alcohol consumption is associated with behaviors that can be both helpful and harmful to health, making it difficult to study. He advised against starting alcohol consumption and recommended minimizing consumption while focusing on other heart-healthy behaviors such as exercise and stress reduction.
The study serves as a reminder that alcohol consumption should be approached with caution, as even moderate levels can have negative effects on blood pressure and cardiovascular health.