How does red wine affect blood pressure levels?

The benefits of red wine

Among the huge variety of alcoholic drinks, there are very few that benefit the body.

Almost no one doubts the health benefits of red wine. It is due to the high content of antioxidants such as resveratrol, catechin, epicatechin and proanthocyanidins. They actively participate in the body’s fight against chronic inflammation, and also normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular system, remove free radicals from the blood, thereby increasing the body’s resistance to oncological processes. Also, with the assistance of resveratrol, the body synthesizes a new compound called piceatannol, which helps normalize weight by blocking the binding of insulin. As a result, it not only helps in the fight against excess weight, but also prevents diabetes, kidney failure, and this is not even the entire list that describes the health benefits of red wine.

Contraindications for drinking wine

Despite their rich composition and many medicinal properties, aromatic alcoholic drinks are not suitable for everyone. If the upper pressure exceeds 150 mm, even a small dose of alcohol leads to its further increase and will cause harm instead of benefit. People who do not suffer from hypertension are interested in when not to drink wine. It is not recommended to use it for those who have pathologies such as:

• allergies;
• pancreatitis;
• gastritis;
• stomach ulcers;
• mental disorders;
• bronchial asthma.

Wine drinks do not eliminate migraine headaches. It is not recommended to use them during an attack, otherwise the person’s condition may worsen and blood pressure will rise.

Wine selection

As you know, there is more than one type of wine, and their effect on the body is not the same. And it is dry red wine that has the maximum range of beneficial substances.

In medicine, a special direction has even been created, which is called enotherapy: it studies the effect of wines on the human body and develops treatment regimens for various ailments with their help. And scientists have proven that the benefits of wine are due to its composition and the amount of useful ingredients, which depends on the grape variety and the land on which it was grown. Thus, your choice should be dry red high-quality wine, but not sweet varieties or vermouth. It has a positive effect on blood vessels, and this makes it clear whether red wine increases or decreases blood pressure.

Composition of wine and its beneficial properties

People make the most delicious and aromatic wine from grape varieties that have bones inside. This drink contains many ingredients that lower blood pressure and have a positive effect on the functioning of blood vessels and the heart. This table describes in detail what is included in real wine, what influence and effect they have.

What elements and vitamins are present in wine:

1. Iron.
2. Magnesium.
3. Phosphorus.
4. Iodine.
5. Potassium.
6. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
7. Retinol (vitamin A).
8. Tocopherol (vitamin E).
9. Thiamine.
10. Choline.
11. Nicotinamide.

The effect of wine on blood pressure

Wine, whatever it is, has a significant effect on blood pressure, like any alcohol. When it enters the body, it immediately dilates the blood vessels, but for a fairly short time. Along with this, it speeds up the heartbeat and, after a natural constriction of blood vessels, inevitably raises blood pressure.

Red wine, depending on its type, has a specific effect on the body. Thus, sweet wines have an intense effect on the heart, speeding up its work, which leads to a significant increase in blood pressure. But dry wines have a beneficial effect on blood vessels due to the content of antioxidants and fruit acids, which makes dry red wine useful for hypertension.

When is it prohibited to drink wine?

Wine and blood pressure are quite compatible things, contrary to the statements of some “researchers”. But in some cases, its use (in fact, like all other alcoholic beverages) is contraindicated. This is true for those people who have had the following pathologies:

• stomach or duodenal ulcer;
• gastritis;
• pancreatitis;
• migraine (frequent headache attacks that are not relieved by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs);
• allergies in any clinical form: with skin manifestations, swelling of the mucous membrane of varying severity and asthmatic syndrome;
• bronchial asthma - as a type of allergic reaction from the respiratory tract;
• alcoholism and other mental disorders (in particular, depressive states).

In addition, combining the use of drugs for various cardiovascular diseases with alcohol consumption is not allowed. Ethanol significantly enhances the effect of some drugs, which can lead to unpredictable consequences.

Indications for calling an ambulance are the following symptoms:

• - for example, the indicator increased above 150/110 or fell below 90/50 mmHg. pillar;
• there has been a disorder of consciousness resulting in excessive motor activity or fainting;
• there may be vomiting that cannot be stopped with home remedies;
• obvious disorders of autonomic function (these include rapid heartbeat, cold extremities, paleness or redness of the skin); partial or complete paralysis.

Note!

A person does not always know exactly what pathologies he already has in a hidden (latent) form. Therefore, it is recommended to periodically (at least once a year) visit a cardiologist for preventive examinations, so as not to miss the onset of a serious heart and blood vessel disease.

Wine for high blood pressure

Hypertension is a disease that many people suffer from; they are forced to diet and deny themselves various foods, including alcohol.

There are many holidays and feasts throughout the year, and hypertensive patients are interested in the question of whether wine is ok for high blood pressure. Thus, it is worth considering that the effects of different alcohols are not the same, and if some types are harmful, others are helpful. Wine has a beneficial effect, but only in quantities of up to two glasses, otherwise there will be no benefit. To understand whether red wine increases or decreases blood pressure, it is worth studying the mechanism of its effect on the cardiovascular system. Sweet varieties act according to the classical scheme, dilating blood vessels at first, but due to increased contraction of the myocardium, they inevitably increase blood pressure. Dry vintage wines tend to persistently relax the walls of blood vessels due to the content of fruit acids. Thus, it becomes clear, but not all alcohol can cause harm at high blood pressure.

Traditional recipes with red wine for high blood pressure

Tinctures that have a hypotensive effect are made from dry wine.

The most effective recipes:

• To prepare the tincture, grate 70 g of horseradish roots, add 200 g of oranges minced with peel, 100 g of sugar, 0.5 liters of dry wine. Mix everything, cover the dish with a lid, keep on low heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool, strain. Take 1 tbsp for high blood pressure. l. 2-3 times/day. For severe headaches and weakness, the dosage can be increased to 2 tbsp. l. When you first take the drug, you need to measure your blood pressure before and after using the tincture. The course of treatment is 10 days.
• Garlic tincture with wine. Chop 10 garlic cloves, pour in 0.5 liters of wine, leave in a dark place for 2 weeks. Before use, strain and drink 1 tsp. three times a day, for 10-14 days. The tincture helps with the initial stages of hypertension and atherosclerosis.
• For high blood pressure and cholesterol, red wine with olive oil will help. The ingredients are mixed in equal proportions, take 2 tbsp. l. 2 times/day. The course of treatment is 2-3 weeks.
• For sudden increases in blood pressure, nervous tension, and digestive problems, add 50 g of dill seeds to 0.5 liters of wine. Cook over low heat for 20-30 minutes, without letting it boil. Drink 50 ml an hour before bedtime. The duration of treatment is from 10 to 20 days.
• High blood pressure is often accompanied by dizziness, tinnitus, headaches, sweating, and insomnia. Wine with honey and aloe will help relieve unpleasant symptoms. For 250 ml of drink, take 200 g of honey, 200 g of leaves of a three-year-old plant, passed through a meat grinder. All ingredients are mixed and left for 5 days. Take 1 tsp. three times a day, the last time 2 hours before bedtime. The course of treatment is 1 month. After a two-week break, therapy is repeated.

Wine for hypotension

If everything is more or less clear with hypertensive patients, then it is completely unclear whether red wine can be consumed with low blood pressure. As you know, dry wine can sharply and permanently reduce blood pressure by increasing the level of nitrogen in the blood, which leads to long-term dilation of blood vessels. This makes it unsuitable for consumption by people suffering from hypotension! But sweet varieties, vermouths and liqueurs will still correct the situation with low blood pressure, but only with dosed consumption.

It is worth considering that prolonged abuse of any wine will inevitably lead to chronic hypertension.

How is it useful?

Glass of red wine:

• relaxes the walls of blood vessels;
• increases their clearance;
• reduces resistance to blood flow.

At the same time, blood pressure levels decrease.

Can it cause harm?

Abuse of alcoholic beverages can cause irreparable harm to the body.

Contraindications

We provide a list of diseases for which the consumption of any wine is prohibited:

• 
  hypertension 2 and 3 degrees;

• pregnancy;
• chronic migraines;
• pancreatitis;
• gastritis;
• peptic ulcers;
• allergy;
• CNS diseases.

Restrictions

• hypertension 1 degree;
• you cannot combine antihypertensive drugs with wine;
• combinations with medications prescribed for the treatment of heart disease are not possible;

Side effects

Side effects that may occur with excessive consumption of red wine include:

• blood thinning;
• inhibition of muscle healing;
• headache;
• insomnia;
• pancreatitis;
• increased blood pressure;
• exacerbation of gout;
• asthma attacks.

Dose selection

When realizing the benefits of red wine for blood pressure, many do not bother thinking about in what dosages it gives a positive result, and which are frankly harmful to the body. Of course, the drink is rich in useful substances and also improves blood microcirculation, having a beneficial effect on blood vessels, but if abused, it significantly increases the load on the heart. And increasing the dose is proportional to the harm to the heart.

Scientists have found that a safe daily dose should not exceed 300 ml. If we talk about the useful norm, then it is 50 ml per day with meals. You can take wine in the recommended doses every day, but it still wouldn’t hurt to take a day off at least once a week.

Consequences of abuse

If you drink excessively, even natural wine will begin to have a detrimental effect on an organism weakened by illnesses. After all, the drink contains ethyl alcohol, so wine in large doses is almost equivalent to drinking vodka. Various diseases may develop or worsen.

The main disadvantages of drinking wine:

• quick addiction;
• disruption of the central nervous system;
• insomnia;
• dizziness, heaviness in the head;
• nausea;
• swelling of the face, feet and hands;
• numbness of the limbs;
• a sharp decrease in brain activity;
• negative effect on a diseased heart and blood vessels;
• dyspnea.

Important! You should always check whether the wine contains sulfur oxide. Because of this substance, cerebral vasospasm occurs, and a severe migraine develops.

White wine

There is quite a lot of information about whether red wine increases or decreases blood pressure, but there is no talk anywhere about white wine. However, it is also beneficial for the body, although the content of antioxidants in it is an order of magnitude lower, but their absorption by the body is easier.

White varieties help improve metabolism, improving appetite and promoting increased secretion of gastric juice. Thus, they have a detrimental effect on bacteria in the stomach and restore the acid-base balance, simplifying the digestion process. White wine in small quantities has a beneficial effect on the thyroid gland, causing it to intensively produce hormones, and it is also good for the kidneys. But the high sugar content makes this wine unsuitable for hypertension and diabetics.

Georgian wines

The history of these wines goes back to ancient times; the first archaeological finds indicating the origin of winemaking in Georgia date back to the 6th century BC. Among them there are both jugs with grape seeds and imprints of leaves.

Throughout its history, winemaking has tirelessly developed and improved, reaching an unprecedented level today. Today, Georgian wines compete only with French ones, without yielding a bit in quality and taste.

Georgian red dry wine is an excellent drink with excellent taste and delicate aroma. Its sugar content is extremely low, but it contains a lot of useful substances. Its strength varies from 10 to 13 degrees, the color is rich, dark, reminiscent of pomegranate juice.

Red Georgian wine is prepared according to an ancient recipe, in which the must ferments on the pulp, after which it is aged in large clay conical vessels, which are dug into the ground up to the neck. It spends three months in the ground, and the process takes place at a stable temperature, which ensures the excellent quality of the drink.

Georgian red dry wine is considered to be vintage. After aging underground, it is poured into oak barrels, where it will spend at least another two years.

Red Georgian wine has the greatest benefits for the body, but even it should be taken in limited quantities. It will perfectly complement any dish and become a decoration and pride of the table.

Harm of wine

A lot of information speaks about the excellent properties of dry wines, about their beneficial effects on the body due to the content of antioxidants and fruit acids. But no matter what benefits this drink provides, do not forget that it is alcoholic.

Alcohol is still extremely dangerous for the body, as it is a neurotoxin that leads to malfunctions of all organs and systems. Exceeding the norm will certainly lead to negative consequences, the list of which is extremely long. Among the most significant are: the emergence of alcohol dependence, liver problems leading to cirrhosis, obesity, which is especially dangerous for internal organs, and, most irreversibly, early mortality. In this case, a person will experience personal degradation and psycho-emotional disorders.

When is it recommended to use wine products for hypertension?

Wine is often recommended for the treatment of hypertension.
If there are contraindications to the use of wine therapy, this technique cannot be used. Reducing blood pressure with wine is allowed only after passing the appropriate tests and consulting a doctor.

If this is the initial stage of the disease, caused by obesity, an increase in the amount of sugar, salt, cholesterol, then wine therapy will be useful. When the disease manifests itself in the form of systematic hypertension, it is worth examining the internal organs to understand their condition.

Only based on the research, the doctor will make a prescription and clarify whether you can drink wine or not. After a diagnosis of hypertension is made, the doctor will prescribe drug therapy.

If you stop taking medications on your own or replace them with wine, this can lead to unforeseen consequences. Combining this drink with medications is also dangerous; it can lead to an overdose of enzymes that lower blood pressure.

In some cardiovascular diseases, lowering blood pressure must be done cautiously or completely prohibited, so every step aimed at treating hypertension must be coordinated with your local cardiologist.

It is advisable to treat hypertension in various ways: both with standard medications and. Only in certain situations is it recommended to use white wine. If these are regular pressure surges, you should contact a qualified specialist.

Scientific research

Hippocrates was the first to talk about the benefits of wine. Then in 1992, scientists investigated a phenomenon they called the “French paradox.” It talked about the fact that the consumption of dry red wine in France is very high, but the life expectancy of the French also differs from others for the better. At the same time, they rarely suffer from diseases of the cardiovascular system, despite the fact that their food is quite fatty. This is due to polyphenols that have cardioprotective properties.

However, in countries neighboring France, no such effect was found, although the consumption of dry red wine was not small there either. As a result, we found out that the benefits are not in the wine, but in the complex diet of the French, called the Mediterranean.

Then Canadian and American scientists conducted a series of experiments proving the beneficial effects of wine on the body when consumed with fatty foods, which improves fat metabolism and reduces the risk of eating it.

Canadian scientists have proven the benefits of dry red wine for gums and teeth, as it has anti-inflammatory properties, and fruit acids destroy bacteria, which prevents caries.

Its benefits for blood circulation, kidneys, liver, skin, immune and hormonal systems have been proven. Moreover, a glass of dry red wine, according to scientists, is comparable to an hour of exercise, making a person toned and improving health.

Based on scientific research and life practice, it has become clear that red wine increases or decreases blood pressure, and it is also known about its effect on the functioning of the entire body. The drink must be taken in a strict dosage in order to bring only benefits and eliminate negative effects on the body. And, of course, not every wine is worth attention; the choice should be on red Georgian wine or dry red French vintage wine, since only they have the greatest benefits for humans.