According to the research, even a small amount of alcohol consumption affects blood pressure
A new study revealed that even a small amount of alcohol consumption per day can raise blood pressure levels.
In a study published in the American Heart Association's (AHA) scientific journal "Hypertension," data from more than 19,500 people from the USA, South Korea, and Japan were examined over approximately 5 years.
In the experts' data analysis, it was observed that blood pressure increased even in people who consumed "small amounts" of alcohol.
The study found that systolic blood pressure increased by about one unit in individuals consuming an average of 12 grams (approximately one glass) of alcohol per day.
For individuals whose daily alcohol consumption reached 48 grams, this increase was about 5 units, while in diastolic blood pressure, an increase was observed in men but no significant change was detected in women.
"Reducing is good, quitting completely is best"
The lead author of the study, Professor Marco Vinceti from Boston University School of Public Health, stated that their findings were surprising and said, "We found that even low amounts of alcohol consumption are associated with an increase in blood pressure over time."
Emphasizing that alcohol is not the only factor that raises blood pressure, Vinceti commented, "Limiting alcohol intake is recommended, but completely avoiding it is much better."
Paul Whelton, President of the World Hypertension League, also pointed out that people who initially have normal blood pressure but are inclined to increase benefit most from completely quitting alcohol.
High blood pressure can lead to many serious health issues ranging from heart attack to stroke, kidney failure to vascular dementia.
