Blood pressure increases progressively with excessive alcohol consumption. The greater the consumption of alcohol, the higher the blood pressure. Upwards of an average of more than two glasses per day at any rate (one glass is equivalent to 14 g alcohol). In light to moderate drinkers (maximum two glasses per day) blood pressure is not affected. On the contrary. Certain studies even mention a slight reduction of blood pressure among persons who drink less than two glasses per day compared with teetotallers. However, that beneficial effect was again contradicted by other research groups. The effect of high alcohol consumption on blood pressure is in any case reversible: the blood pressure returns to more normal levels almost immediately once consumption is limited. Weekend drinkers usually have a higher blood pressure on Monday than on Thursday. Generally speaking, upwards of three or more glasses of alcohol per day doubles the risk of hypertension. Alcohol consumption is held to be responsible for an estimated 5% to 20% of all cases of hypertension.
The effect of alcohol as regards blood pressure is probably direct. Alcohol widens the blood vessels (vasodilatation) in certain vascular beds and causes a temporary increase of sympathetic nervous activity. There are no permanent, structural changes to the blood vessels, not even in cases of chronically high alcohol consumption. Blood pressure begins to reduce as soon as alcohol consumption begins to reduce.. Doctors would do well to question persons with high blood pressure regarding their drinking habits. A reduction of alcohol consumption has the same beneficial effect on blood pressure as other changes in life habits (using less salt, losing excess weight,…).

A low to moderate alcohol consumption reduces the incidence of atherosclerosis and heart disorders. This protective effect is probably to be ascribed to an increase in the concentration of HDL lipoproteins, apoliproteinene A1 and A2, an increase in the anti-oxidating effect and a reduced blood platelet aggregation, all such influences benefiting heart and blood vessels. However, once a limited alcohol intake is exceeded, the benign effect is lost to be replaced by a negative effect with various concomitant health risks. This explains why moderate drinking is not promoted as a health-promoting factor for people who drink no alcohol. Having said that, people who drink in moderation should not be warned off from the use of alcohol. Quite the reverse.
Adults who drink more than one or two glasses per day without being problem drinkers would do well to reduce their alcohol consumption. Research indicates that most of us can do it if we want to. The subjects of one study succeeded in reducing their alcohol consumption from an average of six glasses per day to 1.5 glasses per day over a period of approximately six months. Many beer drinkers manage to reduce their alcohol consumption by switching to beer with a lower alcohol content while drinking the same volume of beverage.

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