You try to do everything right. You take your pills on time, you watch your salt, you promise yourself you’ll move more tomorrow. But what if something sitting in your fridge is quietly working against you?
For millions of people managing high blood pressure, small daily habits can make a bigger difference than they realise.
A hidden interaction
More than 16 million people in the UK live with high blood pressure, according to Blood Pressure UK. Alarmingly, around five million in England are thought to be undiagnosed.
Medication such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers and diuretics plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease.
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However, medical experts warn that certain drinks may interfere with how these drugs work inside the body.
Cardiologists including Dr Sabrina Islam of Temple Health and Dr David Maron of Stanford Medicine have highlighted that some beverages can alter how blood pressure medication is absorbed or metabolised.
In particular, grapefruit juice is known to block the CYP3A4 enzyme, which helps break down many common prescriptions. When that process is disrupted, drug levels in the bloodstream can change unpredictably.
Drinks to rethink
Doctors advise patients to be cautious with:
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- Grapefruit juice and certain fruit juices
- Alcohol
- High-caffeine drinks
- Liquorice tea
- Herbal supplements such as St John’s wort and ginseng
- High-sodium vegetable juices
Alcohol can both raise blood pressure and intensify the effects of medication, increasing the risk of dizziness or fainting.
Caffeine may cause temporary spikes in blood pressure and reduce the effectiveness of some treatments.
Liquorice contains glycyrrhizic acid, which can trigger sodium retention and potassium loss, counteracting antihypertensive drugs.
Why it matters
High blood pressure is the third biggest risk factor for disease in the UK after smoking and poor diet. Even small disruptions to treatment can increase long-term cardiovascular risk.
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Health professionals recommend discussing dietary habits with a GP or pharmacist, especially when starting or adjusting medication.
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