Stick to One or Two Drinks

The mechanism isn't understood yet, but the evidence is clear – drinking alcohol elevates blood pressure.

Occasional moderate drinking – one-to-two drinks – is probably OK. More than that, however, puts us at much higher risk of hypertension. Men who consume three or more drinks per day, for example, have double the risk of hypertension.

Consuming alcohol with a meal, does seem to reduce the effect, but the type of alcohol – beer, wine, or spirits - doesn't seem to matter.

If you're concerned about your blood pressure and you're a big drinker, cutting back could be the most effective thing you can do to control it.