The fact that alcoholic drinks are harmful to health is known to almost all people. However, rarely does anyone delve into the mechanisms of the effects of alcoholic beverages on a person’s psychological and physical state. For example, how does the popular strong drink cognac work? Does it dilate or constrict blood vessels? What consequences can its regular use lead to and can alcoholism develop if you regularly take this drink little by little, for example, with coffee or Coca-Cola? The answers to all these questions are presented in the article.
What causes intoxication from drinking cognac?
As with any other alcoholic drink, intoxication is achieved due to the ethyl alcohol content in the composition. Depending on the type of drink, the concentration of this substance may differ. The minimum concentration is 4.5%, the maximum is up to 65% (however, such strong drinks can severely burn the mucous membranes, so they are recommended to be used in the form of cocktails, i.e. diluted).
In cognac, the concentration of ethyl alcohol (the substance that actually causes intoxication) is 40%. If a lower number is indicated on the bottle label, it is not cognac, but a tincture or other drink.
Many people, especially those with a tendency to hypertension, are interested in the question: “Does cognac narrow or dilate blood vessels in the brain?” It is impossible to answer this question in one word, since the answer depends on many factors - the amount drunk, the quality of the cognac, the person’s inclination to “continue the banquet,” adding other drinks to the cognac, etc.
The influence of popular drinks
All alcoholic drinks act on the vascular system, first dilating and then constricting blood vessels.
Important information: How to treat venous congestion of the vessels of the brain (lungs) and whether it can be removed in the pelvis in women (men)
The extent to which alcohol narrows or dilates blood vessels depends on the strength, quality, composition of the drink and the dose taken. Taking 14 ml of alcohol no more than 2 times a week is considered safe.
A number of alcoholic beverages initially contain acetaldehyde, which shortens the duration of dilation of the vascular walls and enhances the constriction effect.
An ethanol metabolite is present in brandy, whiskey, beer, and wine. As the drink matures, the acetaldehyde content increases. There is especially a lot of it in sherry and Madeira.
Red wine
Dry red wine contains useful antioxidants that protect against the deposition of atherosclerotic plaques on the vascular walls. Dark grapes, which are used to make dry red wines, contain:
- polyphenols that protect against cancer;
- proanthocyanidins, which prevent the formation of blood clots;
- antioxidants resveratrol, quercetin;
- ellagic acid, which prevents the development of cancer;
- fruit acids, microelements, vitamins.
Due to the presence of polyphenols, drinking red wine increases the concentration of nitric oxide in the blood plasma, which promotes vasodilation.
Nutritionists recommend drinking red wine with a strength of 11% in a dose of 100 ml for women, 200 ml for men as a prophylactic against the risk of coronary heart disease.
White wine
Dry white wine with an alcohol content of 11% contains the vitamin riboflavin, nicotinic acid, folic acid, biotin, and polyphenols. But there are fewer nutrients in white and rose wines than in red ones.
White wine is made from white and red grape varieties, but the skins of the berries, in which beneficial compounds are concentrated, are first removed.
White wine, like red wines, contains antioxidants that are smaller in size, making them easier to digest.
The presence of fruit acids allows the drink to be used to improve digestion. The dosage of the drink determines how much white wine dilates or constricts blood vessels.
Dry wine in the amount of 100-200 ml:
- reduces cholesterol in the blood;
- enhances the effect of antioxidants;
- prevents the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
Fortified wines act like vodka: alcoholic drinks expand the walls of the capillaries for a short time, followed by narrowing.
Cognac
In addition to ethyl alcohol, cognac contains tannins (tannins), which have the property of dilating blood vessels and eliminating spasms, which helps lower blood pressure.
Cognac dilates blood vessels due to the presence of tannins to a greater extent than other alcoholic products. The effect is reversed if you drink:
- women - more than 30 ml of drink;
- for men - more than 50 ml of cognac.
Important information: How to treat cerebral vasospasm of cerebral vessels and what are its signs
If you drink 100 ml of cognac, the arterioles narrow and blood pressure increases. This property is sometimes used to treat low blood pressure.
Drinking a small amount of cognac occasionally:
- eliminates spasm;
- prevents the formation of cholesterol plaques;
- increases the elasticity of vascular walls.
You can only drink cognac to dilate blood vessels of high-quality dark varieties. They contain more tannins and fewer harmful impurities.
Vodka
If you drink a glass of vodka with a capacity of 30-50 ml, the drink will dilate the blood vessels. In small quantities, vodka increases blood circulation and helps to relax.
But it is difficult to limit yourself to the dose in which vodka dilates blood vessels and has a relaxing effect on the nervous system. Alcohol is addictive with a constant desire to increase the dose and use it more often.
By increasing the dose of alcohol, a person enhances the vasoconstrictor effect of toxins and helps to increase the production of adrenaline. This hormone further constricts blood vessels, causing the heart to beat faster, causing arrhythmia.
Whiskey
Drinking 20-30 ml of whiskey with a strength of 40% after 10 minutes leads to vasodilation, which lowers blood pressure. If you drink this amount of the drink up to 2 times a week, there will be no addiction, and the drink will retain its healing properties.
Increasing the dose to 70 ml or frequent consumption of whiskey causes addiction and the development of alcoholism. If you drink whiskey every day, the liver does not have time to utilize acetaldehyde, and the narrowing of the vascular walls of capillaries, veins, and arterioles begins with the first sip of alcohol.
Rum
Rum is an alcoholic drink made by fermenting cane sugar. The strength of rum is 40-70%. In terms of strength and properties, rum is similar to cognac.
You can drink this drink in small portions, not exceeding 30-50 ml for 40% rum. Taking rum in an acceptable dose up to 2 times a week:
- improves sleep;
- dilates blood vessels;
- reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Champagne
Champagne is a low-alcohol drink. If you drink 200-400 ml of this drink 2 times a week, there are no negative consequences.
Vessels dilate in response to ethanol entering the blood. And thanks to the presence of polyphenols, low-alcohol sparkling spirits further dilate blood vessels.
But the vasodilating properties of champagne cannot be used to treat hypertension. The carbon dioxide contained in the bubbles irritates the gastric mucosa and has a harmful effect on the liver.
Important information: List of vasodilator drugs (tablets) for the brain and what drugs (medicines) you can take when dilating the veins of the lower extremities
Beer
One 0.5 liter bottle of beer contains up to 40 ml of ethyl alcohol. Beer dilates blood vessels and improves mood, if you do not exceed the permitted portion.
If you don’t stop at 1 bottle and drink more than 2 times a week, then:
- a large volume of fluid bursts the walls of blood vessels, which contributes to the development of varicose veins;
- the kidneys, unable to cope with the increased load, form a substance that provokes vascular spasm.
Vascular spasms can occur in any organ, including the brain. According to statistics, drinking 1 liter of beer daily increases the likelihood of a stroke by 2 times.
Is there a difference: taking cognac in its pure form or mixing it in cocktail form?
Many people add a spoon or two of cognac to strong coffee. If you have problems with blood pressure, then the answer to the following question is important: does cognac expand or narrow blood vessels, and how does natural coffee affect blood vessels?
The fact is that cognac, when consumed in tiny doses (20-40 ml), dilates blood vessels. And, accordingly, lowers blood pressure. Hypertensive patients need vasodilation to cope with excess blood pressure. But coffee has the opposite effect: this drink constricts blood vessels. Thus, if you mix these two drinks, the reaction of the body and, in particular, the cardiovascular system, is very unpredictable.
Useful properties of cognac
We don’t dare to argue with convinced teetotalers, but there are still benefits from drinking this drink. It is caused by both alcohol and substances transferred into it from grapes, as well as chemical elements that arose during infusion in an oak barrel.
Of the general beneficial properties for the body when taken orally, we note:
- support of blood vessels and heart muscle;
- pressure regulation;
- relieving stomach cramps;
- eliminating anxiety and the effects of stress;
- reducing the symptoms of migraine, relieving tension headaches;
- increases the absorption of vitamin C and helps fight colds;
- prevention of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease;
- help with laryngitis and viral throat diseases.
Benefits for men
In addition, the vasodilating property of grape brandy helps maintain potency and prolongs sexual intercourse.
Carefully.
We are talking about 50 ml of drink shortly before making love.
A large dose may have the opposite effect and you will fail.
However, each body reacts in its own way, and you probably know what reaction (in the sense of an erection) awaits you. Even if you are confident in your abilities, on your first real date with the woman you like, it is better to add confidence to yourself by having a drink.
For women
Among women there are also many lovers of a good aged drink. Only its dose should be smaller: for healing purposes - 20-30 ml in the evening. It is relaxing, promoting restful sleep.
And after 50, with the onset of menopause, it also helps maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, eliminating the risks of cardiovascular diseases and prolonging life. In addition, brandy is one of the ingredients in homemade masks and lotions for skin and hair.
What happens to the body after taking 30-50 ml of cognac
If you take a relatively small dose of the drink, does cognac narrow or dilate blood vessels in the brain? The answer to this question is of interest to many people who suffer from problems with blood pressure, because the condition of the blood vessels affects this indicator. As a rule, if you take a strong drink (in particular, cognac) in a relatively small dosage (30-50 ml), the following effect is observed:
- the vessels dilate gradually and moderately;
- the walls of the arteries lose their tone for a short time;
- blood circulates freely, a person usually experiences relief if he suffers from hypertension;
- as a consequence of this effect, the pressure drops.
With regular use, the effect is maintained. It is very important not to overdo it with the dosage, otherwise the opposite effect develops - the effect of cognac on the blood vessels changes. This mechanism is related to the fact that ethyl alcohol is primarily a rather toxic substance, and not at all a medicine.
The effect of a certain type of alcohol on blood vessels
All alcoholic drinks have different effects on the body, although there are many similarities. Let's consider the effect using the example of the most famous alcohol-containing liquids.
- Vodka. Ethyl alcohol instantly changes the tone of blood vessels, blood begins to circulate freely, which, in turn, affects blood pressure. “Fire water” is quickly absorbed into the blood through the stomach, since alcohol dissolves well in fats and penetrates cell membranes. The pressure first decreases, then increases.
In order to maintain the positive influence of wine, you also need to choose the right variety. Vintage dry wines are best suited for treatment; their fruit acids stabilize blood pressure and increase the level of nitric oxide in the blood.
Does cognac constrict or dilate blood vessels in the brain?
Why do so many people worry about this issue? The fact is that hypertensive people (people who suffer from high blood pressure) constantly feel unwell due to their particular physical condition. A small dose of good quality cognac is a simple and affordable way to normalize blood pressure. Just take it not as a drink for pleasure - this is a direct path to intoxication, but as a medicine - one tablespoon at a time.
The question “does cognac dilate blood vessels” is often heard by therapists and cardiologists. They usually do not recommend such “therapy” to their patients, since many people overdo the dosage, as a result of which they only worsen their condition. Large doses of cognac not only do not dilate blood vessels, but also lead to the exact opposite effect. Whether cognac expands or narrows blood vessels directly depends on the dosage of the drink used. If you exceed the norm even a little, the blood vessels will begin to narrow, which can result in an increase in blood pressure, especially if a person has a tendency to such a reaction.
Causes of vasoconstriction
There are many reasons for impaired conduction of blood vessels. In addition to possible congenital or infectious pathologies, they are created by modern life itself, full of stressful situations, with its rhythm, often depriving people of proper rest, sleep and proper nutrition, drinking alcohol (which dilates blood vessels for a while, and then greatly narrows them, causing irreparable harm) - and much more.
- Increased mental and physical stress.
- Stressful situations.
- Overwork at work.
- Nervous feelings.
- Rare walks, and as a result - lack of fresh air.
- A sedentary lifestyle, which means stagnant processes in the body.
- Poor or unhealthy diet - large amounts of high-calorie, fatty and fried foods. Lack of vegetables, seafood and fruits in the diet.
- Smoking, excessive drinking of alcohol, especially beer, which, in addition, leads to hormonal imbalance and obesity.
Many of these reasons lead to an increase in cholesterol levels in the blood and its deposition on the walls of blood vessels. This makes the vessels less passable, they lose their former elasticity.
How does drinking cognac affect a person’s psychological state?
It is worth mentioning that ethyl alcohol is a depressant. Among ordinary people, far from medicine, there is an opinion that small or even serious doses of strong drinks can “unload” the psyche. This opinion is completely wrong. Moreover, alcoholic drinks always have an extremely negative effect on a person’s psychological state and contribute to the death of many neurons (nerve cells) due to a toxic shock throughout the body.
If a person decides to drink cognac (it dilates the blood vessels in the brain - this is in some cases a great benefit for the body), but as a result exceeds the dosage and becomes intoxicated, then the pressure will increase and the patient will feel extremely unwell.
Since ethyl alcohol is a depressant, even after a single abuse of cognac or other alcoholic beverage a person will feel unwell. Anxiety and irritability increase, unmotivated aggressiveness and reluctance to work, attempts to painfully compare oneself with other people and other painful preconditions may appear.
The effect of the drink on the cardiovascular system
The effect of alcohol on the human body begins after the first 2-3 sips. It has a vasodilating effect. A glass of cognac speeds up blood flow and increases appetite. The direction of its action depends on the size of the dose of alcohol. With the help of cognac you can both increase and decrease blood pressure.
The functioning of the brain and heart depends on the condition of the blood vessels. Their expansion or contraction has a direct impact on blood pressure. The daily dose of cognac allowed for hypertensive patients should not exceed 15-20 ml for women and 25-30 ml for men.
The effect of alcohol on the body occurs in several stages. A small amount of drink dilates blood vessels. Their walls relax, blood pressure decreases.
Low blood pressure causes blood to be pushed out of the heart under low pressure. This causes it to not reach distant parts of the body. As a result, the process of enriching the human body with oxygen is disrupted.
Increasing the dose of alcohol leads to vasoconstriction and increased blood pressure. This increases the heart rate.
Large doses of alcohol lead to the release of adrenaline and norepinephrine. Despite the fact that many doctors call cognac the “elixir of life”, it is not recommended for people to drink it:
- suffered a heart attack;
- having serious cardiovascular diseases;
- suffering from hypertension.
It is possible to achieve a therapeutic effect when consuming cognac only if it is taken regularly in small doses . For the treatment of the heart and blood vessels, the highest quality cognac is used, aged for at least 5 years.
Detrimental effect on internal organs: liver and pancreas
When considering the question of whether cognac dilates or constricts blood vessels, one cannot ignore its effect on other organs. Of course, in a dosage above 100 ml, cognac has a negative effect on the condition of blood vessels, but it is even more detrimental to the liver and pancreas.
Those individuals who regularly indulge in alcohol abuse are almost guaranteed to have the following pathologies detected during examination:
- chronic pancreatitis at one stage or another;
- cholelithiasis (or sand in the gallbladder);
- chronic cholecystitis;
- liver damage can be of a different nature - the condition of this organ is largely due to hereditary factors and how a person eats.
If a person drinks cognac in its pure form, the lining of the esophagus and stomach suffers, since this drink has a fairly high concentration of ethyl alcohol. If you regularly drink undiluted cognac, the risk of damage to these organs (larynx, esophagus, stomach) increases, and the risk of neoplasms, both benign and malignant, also increases.
Cognac for hair
The drink will help restore the beauty of your hair. It will make them healthy and your hair more voluminous and thick.
How it works
Organic acids and tannins present in cognac act on hair follicles (bulbs), stimulating them and literally “bringing them back to life.”
Therefore, brandy in hair masks:
- regulates sebum secretion, eliminating the “dirty” appearance of hair;
- increases blood flow in the vessels of the scalp;
- promotes saturation of follicles with oxygen;
- The alcohol in the drink promotes better penetration of beneficial substances into the skin.
Contraindications
Do not forget that there are also contraindications for using cognac in hair treatment. Among them:
- unnaturalness of the product;
- Fake cognac can cause allergic reactions. Although if you are prone to allergies, you cannot insure against it even if you use a natural product;
- For wounds on the head or any rashes, the alcohol contained in the drink will cause a burning sensation and possibly irritation of the skin.
Mask recipes
From theory, let's move on to practical recipes that you can use to easily prepare hair masks at home.
Nourishment and shine
Mix 1 yolk (if your hair is dry) or 1 white (for oily hair) with a teaspoon of honey. Add the same amount of burdock or almond oil, 10 drops of natural lemon juice and 15 ml of cognac.
The mask is suitable for healing and nourishing hair.
Elimination of fat content
To normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands and eliminate the unpleasant oiliness that occurs at the end of the day, although the hair is washed in the morning, mix 2 raw egg yolks with a tablespoon of cognac. Apply first to the scalp, then distribute along the length.
Strengthening and healing
In case of hair loss, strengthen the hair follicles with a mask prepared for future use. Thoroughly mix 1 glass of cognac, sea salt without additives and honey. Place in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks.
Sometimes take out the jar with the mixture and stir. Use instead of shampoo, but for better effect, apply as a mask.
Growth and strength
To enhance hair growth and strengthen it, use a mask taken from a tablespoon:
- onion juice (grate and squeeze the juice through a cloth);
- kefir;
- sea salt;
- cognac
Gently rub the mixture into the skin. If your hair is weak and dry, treat the ends with burdock oil.
Attention.
When washing off masks containing egg or kefir, make the water only slightly warm.
Hot eggs or milk whites will curdle and be difficult to wash off.
Comparison of cognac and other strong drinks according to the degree of negative impact on blood vessels
What dilates blood vessels - vodka or cognac - when the recommended dosage is exceeded? In fact, both of these drinks are approximately equally capable of leading to vasodilation, but only if the correct dosage regimen is followed.
There is a common joke among doctors: “British scientists conducted experiments with alcohol. It turned out that vodka with ice harms the kidneys, cognac dilates blood vessels, whiskey dilates blood vessels, and gin with ice harms the liver. It turns out that this damn ice is incredibly harmful!” The point of the joke is that it makes no difference what kind of alcoholic drink you drink - if the dosage is exceeded, they are all equally harmful to the cardiovascular system, since the main active ingredient in all of them is the same - ethyl alcohol.
Contraindications and consumption patterns for certain diseases
Of course, it’s good to lower blood pressure without pills with one glass of cognac. But those who suffer from:
- gastritis or gastric ulcer in the acute stage;
- diseases of the biliary tract;
- liver diseases;
- diabetes mellitus
Particular caution should be exercised by hypotensive people - people whose blood pressure is below the generally accepted norm. For them, drinking half a glass can be fatal: the pressure will drop even lower, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting will appear.
You will need to call an ambulance. If you, knowing about your low blood pressure, risk drinking a little alcohol, keep a cup of hot sweet tea ready: it will help neutralize the unpleasant consequences.
So, cognac can really be considered as a remedy that can quickly normalize high blood pressure. The headache will go away, and the person will feel better for half an hour or an hour.
But you should not abuse this “folk method”: after all, cognac is not a medicine, but a strong alcoholic drink. If you don’t have pills on hand that you constantly take, you can sometimes drink a tablespoon of cognac to normalize the condition.
Doctors confirm the fact of lowering blood pressure, but warn patients against abusing this pleasant method of treatment. "Everything is good in moderation!" - they say. So we will adhere to the principle of the “golden mean” - no one has canceled it yet.
Cognac and drinks prepared on its basis are not recommended for people suffering from diabetes and hypertension. Alcohol is harmful and dangerous for people with kidney disease, gall bladder and alcoholism.
Alcohol is a catalyzing factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. In the same case, if this or that disease already exists, alcohol consumption must be treated with extreme caution or completely eliminated. Consider the following diseases:
- for arrhythmia - alcohol contributes to the accelerated development of the disease, leading to the development of heart failure, in addition, alcohol is contraindicated in the paroxysmal form of atrial fibrillation;
- for tachycardia - alcohol-containing drinks should be completely abandoned if the disease has become chronic; otherwise, alcohol can also cause critical harm and provoke an attack;
- for angina pectoris - limited consumption of strong high-quality alcohol is allowed (up to 40 ml), especially leading to vasodilation, consultation with your doctor is necessary;
- for heart disease - limited consumption of dry red wine or cognac is allowed no more than 2 times a week in a dosage limited to 150 ml (wine) and 40 ml (cognac);
- in case of heart failure, alcohol is highly undesirable;
- after surgery - after cardiac surgery during the adaptation period, alcohol must be completely eliminated; in the future, only a doctor can recommend the permissible amount.
How to drink cognac without harming your own health?
It is acceptable to drink cognac occasionally (about a couple of times a month) to normalize blood pressure and well-being in a dosage of one tablespoon. If this dosage is exceeded, mild intoxication begins and the person may want to drink more. As a result, there can be no talk of any therapeutic effect or whether cognac dilates the blood vessels of the brain. On the contrary, a person only harms his own health.
There is an outflow of blood from the limbs to the brain, which allows the signal to further “spur” the heart to work. Result: blood pressure rises, the person feels worse. In this case, there can be no talk of any beneficial effect of cognac on blood vessels. The opposite effect is observed, to the point that even a hypertensive crisis is possible.
How does cognac affect human blood vessels? In what cases is it useful?
Alcoholic drinks are harmful to health - even people far from medicine know this. But everything is not so clear. Research shows that alcohol in small doses can, on the contrary, have a healing effect.
.
Today we will talk about cognac and its effect on blood vessels. This strong drink, made from white wine aging, is enjoyed with pleasure during friendly feasts, family gatherings and corporate events. He enjoys well-deserved respect for his excellent taste and ability to quickly relieve tension, creating a calm, friendly atmosphere.
During the cold season, we are happy to warm ourselves up with a glass of “five-star”, having come running home from 30 degrees below zero. Connoisseurs of the noble drink assure that cognac dilates blood vessels, and therefore can be drunk by anyone who has problems with blood pressure. Is it so? Does cognac actually constrict or dilate blood vessels? Let's find out the doctors' opinion.
Can drinking cognac provoke the development of alcoholism?
In people who are hereditarily prone to developing chronic alcoholism (this is a very serious disease that is practically impossible to correct), even drinking small doses of cognac on a regular basis can trigger the development of addiction.
If a person has a history of dependence on alcohol, then “treatment” with cognac is strictly prohibited. There is a high probability that the patient will “remember” the state of intoxication, which will lead to a relapse of chronic alcoholism.
Is cognac good for the health of the heart and blood vessels - a detailed review
The effect of cognac on the human body has been studied by scientists from many countries around the world.
Their research revealed the ability of the drink to have a beneficial effect on the human heart and blood vessels. There are a large number of myths among people that attribute various properties to this type of alcohol. Drinks containing alcohol prepared using special technology in the French province of Charente can be called cognac. Cognacs produced elsewhere are classified as brandy.
What stages of alcoholism should be distinguished in narcology?
Modern narcology is a branch of psychiatry and distinguishes three stages of alcoholism:
- The initial stage involves a frequent desire to drink, and the person always wants to drink more than necessary. Memory lapses and inappropriate behavior are possible even when drinking relatively small doses of strong alcoholic beverages.
- At the second stage, tolerance to ethyl alcohol increases. A person can already drink alone; he does not need company for this. At the same time, he himself justifies his actions as “treatment,” “relaxation,” “stress relief.”
- At the third stage, irreversible diseases of the internal organs develop, which almost always result in death. However, often even after receiving a fatal diagnosis, a person is no longer able to give up his addiction.
Is cognac good for health?
If you believe the research of most scientists, a person who drinks cognac in small doses is less likely to suffer from heart and blood vessel diseases. In reality this is what happens. When drinking a small amount of strong alcohol, you feel hot due to the blood flow to the head. This occurs as a result of vasodilatation and pressure changes. But this effect is too short-lived, and after a fairly short period, this feeling leaves you. A prolonged vasospasm occurs. Of course, this affects people with low-elastic vessels, and there can be no talk of any benefit here. Your blood pressure will likely rise and your heart rate will increase. And if you overdo the dose, the pulse will go off scale beyond 100 beats, which will disrupt the metabolism and slow down the replenishment of the heart muscle. This can only mean one thing: the more cognac you drink, the higher your blood pressure will rise. For people with low blood pressure, a couple of spoons of this noble drink will serve as a balm, but under no circumstances should cognac be consumed along with medications or on an empty stomach.
Medicinal properties exist only in aged varieties of cognac of the highest quality and with at least 5 stars. It can be assumed that cognac is useful in a number of cases, but not for hypertensive patients. An increase in pressure will be followed by a sharp decline, and the blood vessels will definitely not receive healing properties.
It is permissible to consume no more than a tablespoon of cognac per day, but it cannot be a medicine. In addition, strong alcohol is contraindicated for people with vessels affected by atherosclerosis. Moreover, for those who have problems with the density of blood vessels, cognac is simply harmful, but if, if you suspect a heart attack, there are no medications on hand, a piece of sugar soaked in cognac can save your life.
Still, one cannot fail to mention the warming effect of cognac in the cool season, protection against colds and pain relief for toothache. Beneficial properties are acquired due to tannins and tannin, by remaining in oak barrels for quite a long time.
What is the difference between withdrawal and hangover symptoms after drinking strong alcoholic drinks?
Withdrawal syndrome differs from hangover in that it develops in the second stage of chronic alcoholism. In this case, the vessels experience a toxic blow to the same extent as the internal organs and the nervous system. The basic rule that allows you to prevent either a hangover or withdrawal symptoms is not to attempt to “treat” your illnesses with alcoholic beverages.
If there is a need to correct blood pressure, then you should discuss this issue with your doctor and find an acceptable drug for yourself.
What else should you include in your diet?
A poorly balanced diet is the cause of many heart diseases. Together with food, the human body receives the substances necessary for health. The effect of foods on the cardiovascular system depends on their chemical composition.
The most important of them:
Fruits
They enrich the human body with vitamins, thin the blood, and cleanse the blood vessels.
Especially useful:
Vegetables
Leafy vegetables provide the best nutrition for your heart.
They contain a large amount of magnesium, which enriches the blood with oxygen. Eating sorrel, spinach and arugula will reduce the risk of blood clots .
In winter, your diet should include: They perfectly retain their fresh quality for a long time. You can buy pepper in stores at any time of the year.
Berries
The minerals and vitamins contained in the berries increase a person's vitality . The role of berries in maintaining heart health is invaluable. Particularly beneficial for the cardiovascular system:
Nuts
Nuts are included in the diet for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases due to their ability to cleanse the blood of cholesterol . Among the most useful:
- walnuts;
- almond;
- pistachios;
- peanut;
- pecans;
- pine nuts;
- hazelnut.
Various medicinal products are prepared on their basis. For heart health, you need to eat 1 handful of nuts per day.
Dried fruits
You can buy dried fruits in most stores. It is best to purchase a mixture consisting of prunes, dried apricots, raisins and honey; such a mixture can be made at home. Raisins and dates are no less useful. Before eating, dried apricots and prunes are soaked in warm water for several hours.
Dr. Amosov’s cardiac paste is also extremely effective.
Dairy
Dairy products used for food should have a low fat content. Among the most beneficial dairy products for the heart and blood vessels are:
- cow's milk;
- kefir;
- cottage cheese;
- hard cheese;
- yogurt;
- butter.
Other products
- Fish is very good for the heart . Among the most healthy varieties of fish are 6 main types: halibut, cod, capelin, herring, tuna, mackerel. The substances included in these products provide blood purification, reducing the risk of heart attack and blood clots.
- Bitter chocolate. It has been scientifically proven that dark chocolate reduces blood pressure and the risk of death from heart disease. Thanks to this product, the elasticity of blood vessels increases and the load on the heart muscle decreases.
- Turmeric. The spice is recommended to be included in the diet for the treatment of cardiotoxicity and complications caused by diabetes. The plant is part of many drugs used to lower cholesterol levels and treat atherosclerosis.
- Flaxseed and olive oils. Olive oil reduces the risk of hypertension, heart attack and stroke. Flaxseed oil cleanses the blood of cholesterol and normalizes blood pressure.
- Beverages. Among the drinks, natural juices are of particular value: tomato, cranberry, pomegranate, grape, grapefruit and pumpkin. Soy milk and green tea are good for the heart. To increase the tone of the heart muscle, it is recommended to drink 1-2 cups of natural coffee a day. The main drinks for the cardiovascular system are water and dry red wine.
Can it be used to clean arteries?
What does “cleaning blood vessels” mean? This is a decrease in the level of cholesterol, which can be deposited on the elastic walls, as well as a decrease in the size of atherosclerotic plaques.
Scientists say that drinking any alcoholic beverages slightly reduces cholesterol levels. And those who regularly drink the same cognac in small portions (before dinner) have really “cleaner” blood vessels.
But we should not forget about the negative impact on the liver , which is precisely what takes part in the breakdown of ethyl alcohol derivatives and their subsequent removal from the body. For her, alcohol in any form is a powerful toxin. And even “careful” consumption of cognac (in small portions) will sooner or later provoke liver failure.
Therefore, doctors categorically do not recommend using alcoholic beverages as a medicine to cleanse the circulatory system. An exception is the preparation of various types of cleansing infusions based on them with a very low percentage of alcohol (alcohol in this case acts as a preservative and absorbent element).
Cognac relieves stress
It is not the cognac itself that has a beneficial effect on the body as a whole and the vascular system, but the company and the inviting environment. Drinking a glass of this noble drink is an excellent antidepressant and provides emotional release only in good, friendly company. If you do not drink cognac for the purpose of pleasure, but want to relieve stress, you will still benefit from it. Alcohol itself has nothing to do with it, because, first of all, the creators of cognac expected to get not a medicine, but a product for fun.
Sources:
https://wikifood.online/organi/serdce/konyak-dlya-ser-i-sosudov.html https://zen.yandex.ru/media/id/59d2f4611410c3817c80dc11/5a978ed8ad0f2240b3e22b3c https://www.kakprosto.ru/ kak-833757-polezen-li-konyak-pri-boleznyah-sosudov
Traditional medicinal recipes
Although cognac itself is not the best remedy for strengthening blood vessels, it is an excellent basis for folk recipes. The most effective among them are:
- cognac tincture with cranberries;
- tea with cognac and cinnamon.
Cranberry tincture
Cranberries are good for the heart and blood vessels, as they contain a large amount of vitamin C and phenolic antioxidants, which lower cholesterol levels and strengthen blood vessels. Prepare a cranberry cleanser as follows:
- Rinse 600 grams of cranberries under running water, place on a paper towel and mash a little (covering with another towel on top);
- then transfer it to a jar, cover the top with gauze and leave it like that for a day;
- Next - transfer the berries to an enamel bowl, add about 1 - 1.5 glasses of water and heat in a water bath until boiling;
- after cooling, strain through cheesecloth;
- add 500 milliliters of cognac to the resulting broth.
Take 30 milliliters before dinner . The course is at least 2 weeks.
Also watch this recipe video:
Adding to tea
It is considered the best tonic for blood vessels, and also normalizes blood pressure. Easy to prepare:
- brew your usual tea (you can also use green or fruit tea);
- add ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon to 1 glass, 2 teaspoons of cognac;
- let steep for 10 minutes and drink warm.
Drink no more than once a day to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
The combination of cinnamon and honey is also extremely beneficial for the cardiovascular system.
How does it affect the circulatory system?
The basis of cognac is the so-called “cognac alcohol”, which is produced by distilling dry white wines (with a gradual increase in the percentage of ethyl alcohol). How is it different from the usual one?
Firstly, its “strength” is about 80%, and it also contains a large amount of tannin - a tanning component, as well as essential oils. This is the key difference between cognac and vodka (despite the fact that their strength is similar and is about 40%).
Tannin dilates blood vessels, and at the same time slows down blood flow, which is confirmed by research . Accordingly, the pressure decreases slightly. Drinking cognac in small portions gives exactly this effect.
But this is only true with a single dose of about 50 - 70 milliliters of the drink. There is little alcohol in such a portion, so the protective reaction (when the heartbeat accelerates to remove ethanol derivatives more quickly) is not triggered.
What happens if you drink more than 70 milliliters at once? The pressure will begin to increase actively, and in leaps and bounds. The effect of drinking alcohol will suppress the effect of tannins. For more information about the effect of alcohol on blood vessels, see a separate article.