Does cognac increase or decrease blood pressure? Many people think that this drink is healthy, but you cannot drink it without moderation. This product has contraindications and side effects, especially for counterfeit cognac. If the doctor recommended drinking a little cognac drink as therapy, then you need to take the choice of product and the indicated dosages seriously.
The benefits and harms of cognac for blood pressure
Cognac is an alcoholic drink (more than 40%), which is produced from special grape varieties using special technology. "Cognac" is a proprietary name for drinks from the Cognac region of France. Other drinks produced using the same technology are called brandy, but for Russians the word cognac is more familiar.
The taste and properties of cognac depend not only on polyphenols and other substances of the grapes. The uniqueness of the drink is given by the following substances extracted from wood during aging in barrels: tannins, sugars, lignin, amino acids, resins and enzymes. A drink can be called cognac only after 3 years of aging in oak barrels.
Moderate dose:
- relieves nervous tension, calms, improves mood;
- dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure;
- eliminates headaches caused by vascular spasms;
- improves blood flow, relieves stress on the heart;
- protects blood vessels from the effects of toxins and free radicals;
- prevents the formation of cholesterol plaques in blood vessels.
Despite the impressive list of beneficial properties, cognac is an alcoholic drink, the regular use of which often leads to addiction.
Almost every person who regularly drinks the drink in large doses develops progressive hypertension. And in patients with hypertension, alcohol increases the risk of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke.
Excessive alcohol consumption leads to disorders in all organs and systems of the body, the gradual death of brain cells and personality degradation.
The effect of cognac on blood pressure: does it increase or decrease?
Despite the rich chemical composition, only one component of cognac can have an effect on pressure - ethyl alcohol (ethanol). It causes euphoria. In this state, mental stress decreases, muscles and blood vessels relax. Blood pressure decreases.
This only happens when drinking a drink up to 30-60 ml. Further intake of ethanol has a pressor effect. The production of certain hormones changes, the effect of nitric oxide is suppressed, and the level of calcium and magnesium ions in the walls of blood vessels increases.
The frequency and strength of heart contractions increases, the lumen narrows and peripheral vascular resistance increases, the composition and redistribution of blood in different areas of the body changes. Blood pressure increases for a long time.
In the initial stages of hypertension, when disturbances in blood vessels are minimal, cognac will help normalize blood pressure. But in hypertensive patients of III and IV degrees of the disease with severe sclerotic vascular lesions, even a moderate dose of alcohol can lead to a hypertensive crisis.
In case of pathological hypotension with low vascular tone, the first dose of cognac can lead to a strong decrease in pressure.
What does pressure mean - tonometer values
When measuring pressure with a tonometer, a person receives two numerical values. More of them indicates the force with which the heart muscle pumps blood into the bloodstream. Normally, this figure should be from 120 to 135 units.
A lower value on the tonometer indicates the strength of blood movement through the human system at the moment the heart muscle relaxes, that is, at the moment when it does not push blood, but is preparing for the next push. Normally, the so-called lower pressure varies from 75 mm Hg to 90 mm.
In addition, it is important to consider the difference between lower and upper pressure. This indicator should tend to 40. That is, a value of 120/80 mm, when the lower indicator is 40 points less than the upper one, is the norm. If the lower one rises to 90 units, and the upper one drops to 115, serious problems with well-being begin.
Is it possible to treat with cognac?
It has been scientifically proven that only the amount and duration of ethanol consumed can affect blood pressure. The type of alcoholic beverage plays a minor role. The benefits of cognac for treating blood pressure are greatly exaggerated and rely on the antioxidant properties of its components.
Indeed, when considered separately, polyphenols and tannins have a positive effect on people with heart and vascular diseases. However, to achieve a significant therapeutic effect, you need a regular supply of these substances in large quantities. And this is incompatible with the supply of ethanol.
The safe amount of cognac for women is 30 ml, for men - 60 ml. Ethanol in such doses is easily broken down by enzymes and is quickly eliminated from the body, without having a harmful effect on the organs and without forming a dependence on euphoria.
These doses can reduce high blood pressure if the readings deviate by no more than 15%. Cognac will also help eliminate headaches, which often accompany pressure surges.
Therefore, in case of hypotension, an alcoholic drink can only be drunk in combination with tonics, the volume of which should exceed the ethanol content. Cognac tinctures with a tonic effect, taken in small doses, are useful.
To increase blood pressure, you need to drink at least 100 ml of cognac. In this case, the first phase of the action of alcohol will be accompanied by a short-term decrease in blood pressure. This is dangerous for hypotensive patients, especially with blood pressure levels below 100/60 in men and 90/60 in women.
According to studies in healthy people, moderate consumption of the drink does not affect blood pressure. The indicators remain at the physiological norm. But excessive and long-term consumption of the drink increases the risk of hypertension.
How to use
Cognac is rich in various substances, and it is they that make it useful. But does everyone know the daily dose? To stimulate cardiac activity, lower blood pressure and dilate blood vessels, you only need 20 grams of alcohol. The main thing is to strictly take the prescribed dose, because only then can a person receive exceptional benefits.
REFERENCE! Doctors recommend drinking no more than 30 grams of cognac per day.
With low blood pressure
For women, 50 grams of cognac will be enough. The dose you drink will raise your blood pressure, but only slightly.
And also read on our website: The benefits and harms of fasting for hypertension, the essence and types of diet, as well as the basic rules during treatment
Drinking more than 70 grams of cognac can provoke an increase in blood pressure in men.
With high blood pressure
For men, drinking 50 grams of cognac will be enough to lower the blood pressure slightly. And this will happen due to the fact that alcohol, entering the body, will begin to dilate blood vessels.
For women, 30 grams of alcohol is required. The effect will be similar to that in men.
How and with what to drink cognac if you have high blood pressure?
At what pressure and how can you drink cognac? For preventive use, choose a drink with a minimum aging period; it has a milder effect on the body. Alcohol cannot be refrigerated (average temperature of the drink is +20°C).
High pressure
It is advisable to take cognac when a slight increase in blood pressure is combined with headaches, nervous tension and sleep disturbances.
The standard dose of the drink (30 ml for women, 60 ml for men) is taken after meals no more than 2-3 times a week. To enhance the healing effect, you can add a pinch of cinnamon to the drink, snack on walnuts, lemon and other citrus fruits.
Coffee with cognac at low pressure
Coffee with cognac Combining cognac with natural coffee or strong black tea will help increase blood pressure and relieve nervous tension. To do this, add no more than 2 tsp to a standard cup of drink. alcohol.
To enhance the healing effect, add a pinch of cardamom, turmeric or ginger to the drink and eat dark chocolate.
Symptoms of high blood pressure
High blood pressure never goes unnoticed by a person. As soon as it begins to grow, the following symptoms appear:
- headaches localized in the back of the head;
- tinnitus;
- nausea;
- dyspnea;
- dizziness;
- purple complexion.
A short-term increase in blood pressure can occur due to stress or as a result of another psychological shock. In other cases, an increase in tonometer values is a reason for a comprehensive examination. Hypertension most often develops gradually. This manifests itself as fatigue and poor health, as well as sleep disturbances. It is important to measure blood pressure during headaches in order to notice its increase in time.
Factors that change the effect of cognac
Before treatment, it is important to consider factors that may enhance the effects of cognac. First of all, this is the condition of blood vessels and the heart, ongoing somatic diseases and taking medications.
Cognac reduces the therapeutic effect of drugs that lower and increase blood pressure, and when used together can lead to acute poisoning.
You should not drink cognac if your body is severely dehydrated in a bathhouse, if it is hot, or if you have long-term diarrhea. With a lack of fluid, blood volume decreases; an additional decrease in pressure can lead to a collapotid state even in hypertensive patients.
Combining any dose of alcohol with carbonated drinks speeds up the effects of ethanol. A short period of decreasing pressure can lead to a sharp jump in indicators upward.
Contraindications
There is a group of diseases in which drinking cognac can lead to death or severe complications:
- cardiac, hepatic, renal failure in the stage of decompensation;
- previous myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke;
- cardiac ischemia;
- hypertension degrees III and IV;
- diabetes;
- infectious diseases;
- gastrointestinal ulcers;
- cirrhosis, hepatitis;
- epilepsy;
- pathologies of the nervous system.
Cognac is contraindicated for people with genetic defects in enzymes that oxidize alcohol.
In these cases, even a safe dose of ethanol leads to the rapid formation of addiction. The possibility of such a defect is greater in people with parents suffering from alcoholism.
How to normalize blood pressure after cognac
A huge disadvantage of cognac is the unpredictability of its effect on blood pressure. This can be affected by the quality of the drink (insufficient purification), smoking, eating habits and the stressful state of the body.
The combination of these factors leads to a sharp jump in blood pressure either up or down. In these cases, patients need emergency help. The first step is to completely stop drinking alcohol.
High blood pressure
A sharp increase in pressure is always accompanied by panic in the patient. It is impossible to reduce blood pressure against the background of strong nervous excitement. To calm down, you can take valerian or motherwort tablets.
The only relatively safe drug for lowering blood pressure after alcohol is Magnesia. Use an intravenous 25% solution of the drug from 5 to 20 ml. The medicine is administered slowly.
The patient needs to take a comfortable position, but so that the legs are lower than the level of the head. A warm heating pad or water foot bath is helpful.
Treatment at home is acceptable when blood pressure rises to 25% of normal values. In other cases, you need to call an ambulance.
Low pressure
An attack of hypotension after cognac begins abruptly and is manifested by severe weakness, blurred vision, dizziness and nausea. The person may lose consciousness. In such cases, calling an ambulance is mandatory.
The sick person should be placed on a horizontal surface and his legs should be elevated. Fresh air and freeing the neck area from tight clothing are required. Massaging the feet and neck area will help reduce the severity of the attack.
A sick person is given strong black tea with sugar with the addition of 10-15 drops of tincture: ginseng, lemongrass or eleutherococcus. The temporal area is lubricated with essential oil: rosemary, mint or grapefruit.
Homemade tinctures for treating blood pressure
In folk medicine, cognac-based tinctures are popular. Depending on the components, they increase or decrease pressure. Treatment should be discussed with your doctor.
All tinctures are prepared in dark glass containers, infused in a dark room at room temperature, shaking daily. The finished tincture is filtered and stored in the refrigerator.
Tinctures for high blood pressure
It is permissible to treat with cognac-based products in the initial stages of the disease; the use of tinctures for stage III and IV hypertension can cause complications.
Honey and viburnum
Ground viburnum fruits (0.5 kg) are mixed with honey (0.5 kg) and poured with cognac (250 ml). Leave for 20-30 days. Take 20 ml once a day 30 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is 20 days.
Celery
Crushed leaves and celery root (200 g) are poured with cognac (200 ml), infused for 1-2 days. To use, the tincture (1 tsp) is diluted with warm boiled water (1 tbsp). The medicine is drunk 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals for 15-20 days.
Cinnamon
Ground cinnamon powder (1 tsp) is mixed with cognac (1 tbsp), left for 1 hour and filtered. Take 1 tsp. 2-3 times a day before meals. Treatment is continued for 14-20 days.
Low blood pressure tinctures
These cognac-based tinctures contain tonic and nervous system stimulating components. Medicines increase blood pressure, eliminate lethargy and lethargy.
Ginseng
Dry ginseng root in powder form (15 g) or fresh (50 g) is poured with cognac (0.5 l) and infused for 4 weeks.
Eleutherococcus
Crushed dry roots of Eleutherococcus (50 g) are poured with cognac (0.5 l) and infused for 3-4 weeks.
Bearberry
Dry leaves of the plant (2 tablespoons) are poured with cognac (250 ml) and left for 3 weeks.
Application: tinctures are taken 30-40 minutes before meals, 15-20 drops 2-3 times a day. Duration of treatment is 30-40 days. If necessary, the course of therapy is repeated after an interval of 2 months.
Cardiologists and narcologists do not recommend drinking alcohol in any dose.
Despite established dosage standards and warnings about the dangers of ethanol on all organs and a person’s personality, society understands the culture of drinking the drink in a completely different way. Not all people are able to limit themselves to a standard dose of alcohol.
Treatment with cognac-based tinctures brings significant benefits for controlling blood pressure. If, however, preference is given to pure cognac, it is better to take a safe dose no more than 2 times a week.
What alcohol lowers blood pressure
Finding an alcoholic drink that lowers blood pressure is problematic. Everything is very individual. Alcohol that lowers blood pressure includes balsam, cognac or whiskey. However, they should be consumed only in the permitted dosage. The pressure decreases temporarily - for 1-2 hours. After this, it increases, often even more than previous indicators. In addition, repeated doses may not only fail to have the desired effect, but may also increase vascular tone. At the same time, the pressure increases.
Cognac for hypertension
Cognac is distinguished by its ability to reduce blood pressure if consumed in a volume of 30-40 ml 1-2 times every 7 days. It dilates blood vessels, which causes changes in blood pressure. The drink should not be consumed if you plan to take pills for hypertension.
Doctors deny the effect of lowering blood pressure when taking cognac. Since hypertension is a complex disease, it should be treated only after a comprehensive evaluation. It is not safe for patients with hypotension to resort to drinking cognac, since the consequences are difficult to predict.
White wine for high blood pressure
The effect of white wine on blood pressure is ambiguous. It is made from natural ingredients, unlike most strong drinks. Ethyl alcohol is not used in its production
White wine is consumed in European countries that are famous for their longevity. However, even among them this drink is not used for medicinal purposes. People with hypertension are allowed to drink white wine on rare occasions, preferably only on holidays. The difference between this drink is that it causes fewer complications . Since high blood pressure after alcohol occurs with frequent use, moderate consumption may not have any effect on health.
