6 Drinks You Should Never Mix With Blood Pressure Medications

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Health asked three cardiologists which beverages people shouldn’t drink while taking blood pressure medications. Alcohol can enhance the effects of certain blood pressure drugs, including nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, alpha blockers, and beta-blockers, and may lead to significant drops in blood pressure, Islam said. Licorice TeaEven in small amounts, licorice tea and drinks containing glycyrrhizin—a flavorful chemical found in licorice root—can dramatically increase blood pressure and counteract the effects of blood pressure medications, research shows. “High cortisol levels lead to sodium retention, potassium loss, blood volume expansion, and high blood pressure,” he said. This buildup can strain blood vessels and directly raise blood pressure, Krumholz said.