A new international study has revealed that even small amounts of alcohol can raise your blood pressure—and cutting back or quitting drinking altogether may lead to meaningful improvements.
The findings were published in the *Journal of the American College of Cardiology* (JACC), from the American College of Cardiology, and were presented at a major cardiology conference in Germany.
### Alcohol and Blood Pressure: What You Need to Know
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. While doctors have long recommended limiting alcohol intake as part of a healthy lifestyle, the effects of light-to-moderate drinking—especially in women—haven’t been clearly understood until now.
### About the Study
Led by Dr. Takahiro Suzuki from St. Luke’s International Hospital in Tokyo, the study analyzed nearly 360,000 annual health check-up records from over 58,000 Japanese adults between 2012 and 2024. The main goal was to investigate what happens to blood pressure when people start or stop drinking alcohol.
Participants were divided into two groups:
– People who were already drinking regularly
– People who weren’t drinking
Researchers then tracked changes in blood pressure when these individuals either stopped or started drinking.
### Key Findings
– Among people who quit drinking, blood pressure went down.
– Women who had been drinking one to two drinks a day saw their systolic (top number) blood pressure drop by about 0.78 mmHg and their diastolic (bottom number) drop by 1.14 mmHg.
– Men experienced even larger decreases: 1.03 mmHg (systolic) and 1.62 mmHg (diastolic).
– Conversely, people who started drinking after previously not drinking experienced higher blood pressure. This trend was observed in both men and women, indicating a clear link between drinking and increased blood pressure.
– Importantly, the type of alcohol—whether beer, wine, or spirits—didn’t influence the results. The critical factor was the amount of alcohol consumed, not the type.
### Expert Insights
Dr. Suzuki explained, “When it comes to blood pressure, less alcohol is better. In fact, our study suggests that no alcohol is best. Even small reductions in drinking can lead to real benefits for your heart health.”
Dr. Harlan Krumholz, Editor-in-Chief of *JACC*, added, “These results challenge long-held beliefs that a little alcohol is harmless. Even low levels of drinking could contribute to high blood pressure. Cutting back could be a real way to help prevent or manage hypertension.”
### Study Limitations
There are some important limitations to keep in mind:
– The study was observational, so it cannot definitively prove cause and effect.
– Alcohol intake was self-reported, which may lead to inaccuracies.
– Since the participants were mostly urban Japanese adults, results may differ in other populations around the world.
### What This Means for You
Despite these limitations, the message is clear: if you’re looking for a simple way to improve your blood pressure, reducing or quitting alcohol might help. With rising rates of heart disease globally, even small lifestyle changes can make a significant difference.
For more information on managing blood pressure, consider reading studies about:
– Common blood pressure medications that may extend your healthy lifespan
– High blood pressure drugs linked to sudden cardiac arrest
– The importance of timing when taking blood pressure pills
– How 1 in 5 people with high blood pressure worsens their condition while on medication
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**References:**
Suzuki T, et al. Alcohol Consumption and Blood Pressure Changes: Insights from a Large-Scale Observational Study. *Journal of the American College of Cardiology*, 2024.
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*Take control of your heart health—consider cutting back on alcohol to help manage your blood pressure today.*
https://knowridge.com/2025/10/quitting-alcohol-or-drinking-less-can-significantly-lower-blood-pressure/