Effect of whiskey on blood pressure

In the old days, Scottish monks reinforced their strength with small portions of whiskey. Alcohol made it easier to endure harsh winters, cope with pain in the joints due to the eternal dampness of the monastery walls, and digest coarse food. Modern scientists confirm that a dose of 20–30 g of strong drink really has a healing effect. It is especially interesting to see how whiskey affects blood pressure.

Mechanism of action. Once in the blood, the ethanol contained in whiskey dilates the blood vessels. The drink acts very quickly, so that the pressure decreases within 5-10 minutes after drinking alcohol. It has been experimentally proven that 50–70 g of whiskey lowers blood pressure by 20 mm Hg.

But this does not mean at all that with an increase in the dose of alcohol, the pressure will continue to decrease. On the contrary, if you cross the threshold of 70 g of whiskey, then after 30-40 minutes, blood pressure will begin to rise. And if you drink 50–70 g daily, the body will get used to it, and over time, the pressure will decrease less and less. That is, whiskey is not suitable for constant regulation of blood pressure.

The effect of a drink depends largely on the individual characteristics of the body. So, for some, after the first sip of the drink, the pressure rises.

Drinking whiskey with high blood pressure

Hypertensive patients who constantly take drugs to reduce pressure, whiskey is strictly prohibited: ethanol reacts with drugs, resulting in the strongest toxins entering the bloodstream. But for those who do not take medication, 50-70 g of the drink (not more than 1-2 times a week) is even useful. It is believed that with high blood pressure, without much harm to yourself, you can use only such an amount of alcohol that is guaranteed not to cause a hangover.

The maximum hangover-free dose is 1,5 ml of pure ethanol per 1 kg of human weight. Its volume in milliliters for whiskey of different strengths is given in the table:

The specified amount of whiskey is allowed to drink not immediately, but intermittently, within 4-5 hours. After such excesses, you need to refrain from alcohol for 2-3 weeks. For women (due to a slower metabolism), the amount of hangover-free dose is reduced by 20-30%.

High blood pressure whiskey cocktails

With increased pressure, whiskey is recommended to be mixed with apple or birch juice, cranberry juice. Approximate proportions: for 150 – 200 ml of juice – 50 ml of whiskey. Ice in cocktails is added to taste.

Whiskey also goes well with hot or cold rooibos, especially chocolate and strawberry. If the pressure is high, then for dessert it is better to choose not ordinary tea, but rooibos with a slice of lemon: it lowers blood pressure and neutralizes the effects of alcohol. Rooibos also helps the morning after the party.

Hypertensive patients should refuse tea or coffee with whiskey.

Low blood pressure whiskey

In especially sensitive hypotensive patients, even a small amount of whiskey can cause nausea and dizziness. With such symptoms, the drink should not be consumed.

In the absence of a negative reaction to whiskey, it is allowed for hypotensive patients, but it is not recommended to exceed 70 – 80% of the maximum hangover-free dose.

Reduced pressure whiskey cocktails

Hypotension is best to mix whiskey with grape, pomegranate, grapefruit juice. A cup of strong tea with whiskey and a piece of chocolate will help to warm up and raise the pressure a little. But coffee with whiskey should be treated very carefully: excessive drinking is harmful to blood vessels. In tea or coffee with whiskey, you can add cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric.

whiskey with cola

Whiskey and cola is the most popular, but also the most harmful combination. Such a cocktail is strictly forbidden for hypertensive patients: cola with whiskey increases blood pressure. But it also makes sense for hypotensive patients and people with normal pressure to refrain from drinking. Carbon dioxide, ethanol and fusel oils (they are in any distillate) are a deadly mixture for both blood vessels and the gastric mucosa.

Whiskey before or after a bath

Alcohol and a bath are incompatible in general, and especially with whiskey. The drink dilates the vessels of the brain. The effect is enhanced in a steam room, which can lead to rupture of the vessel and hemorrhage in the brain.

Recipe for blood pressure tincture

Walnut whiskey tincture helps with periodic increases in pressure caused by menopause. It is necessary to grind 100 g of green walnuts in a peel and pour 0,5 liters of whiskey. Infuse for at least 3 weeks in a dark place, then strain. Take a teaspoon 2-3 times a day half an hour before meals.

The tincture is prepared only on high-quality whiskey without flavorings and flavorings. Before using the remedy, you should consult a doctor.