What Are the Worst Drinks for High Blood Pressure? A Guide to Unhealthy Beverages

October 8, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the CDC, nearly half of U.S. adults have hypertension, and diet plays a significant role in its management. For those looking to control their blood pressure, it's crucial to understand what are the worst drinks for high blood pressure and how they impact cardiovascular health. Making smarter beverage choices is a simple yet powerful step toward better health outcomes.

Quick Summary

This guide identifies the beverages that pose the most significant risk for exacerbating high blood pressure, including sugary sodas, high-caffeine energy drinks, and alcoholic beverages. It explains the physiological mechanisms by which these drinks can negatively affect blood pressure and offers comparisons to healthier choices for better hypertension management.

Key Points

High Sugar Content: Sugary drinks, including sodas, sweetened teas, and processed juices, contribute to weight gain, insulin resistance, and directly inhibit nitric oxide, leading to elevated blood pressure.
Energy Drink Dangers: The high concentration of caffeine and other stimulants in energy drinks causes a rapid spike in blood pressure and heart rate, which is particularly risky for those with existing hypertension.
Excessive Alcohol Risk: Regular and excessive alcohol consumption damages blood vessels, causes fluid retention, and interferes with blood pressure medications, leading to a sustained increase in blood pressure.
Hidden Sodium: Many commercially prepared beverages, such as some tomato juices, can be surprisingly high in sodium, which causes the body to retain water and increases blood pressure.
Moderate Caffeine Intake: While regular coffee drinkers may build tolerance, high doses of caffeine can cause temporary blood pressure spikes. Those with severe hypertension should moderate or switch to decaf.

The Surprising Dangers of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

Sugary drinks are one of the biggest culprits contributing to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues. It's a common misconception that salt is the sole dietary factor, but research shows that excessive sugar intake, particularly high-fructose corn syrup, has a direct link to hypertension. The issue stems from several mechanisms:

Fructose Metabolism: The liver processes fructose, and too much can lead to fat accumulation and insulin resistance, both independent risk factors for high blood pressure.
Nitric Oxide Inhibition: Excess sugar, especially fructose, raises uric acid levels, which inhibits the production of nitric oxide, a compound that helps blood vessels relax. This leads to vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) and an increase in blood pressure.
Weight Gain: The high caloric density of sweetened drinks can lead to weight gain and obesity, which places additional strain on the heart and circulatory system.

Beyond traditional soda, this category includes sweetened iced teas, fruit juices with added sugar, and sports drinks. Some studies have even found that frequent consumption of artificially sweetened beverages is associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension, despite being marketed as healthier options. Choosing unsweetened alternatives or plain water is a far safer bet for managing blood pressure.

The Stimulant Overload of Energy Drinks

Energy drinks are a potent cocktail of caffeine, sugar, and other stimulants like guarana and taurine. This combination makes them particularly hazardous for people with high blood pressure. While a healthy person might only experience a temporary spike, individuals with existing hypertension can face more serious risks.

Intense Caffeine Spike: Energy drinks often contain more caffeine than several cups of coffee, causing a significant and rapid increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Some researchers report a temporary rise in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 5 to 15 mmHg within an hour of consumption.
Compounding Effects: Stimulants like guarana amplify the effects of caffeine, placing even greater stress on the cardiovascular system. This can cause palpitations and, in rare cases, lead to more severe cardiac events.
Chronic Strain: Regular consumption of energy drinks can lead to a persistent elevation of baseline blood pressure over time, potentially worsening existing hypertension.

For those seeking a performance boost, a more measured caffeine intake from coffee or tea is safer, and natural energy sources through a balanced diet and regular exercise are better long-term solutions.

The Long-Term Effects of Excessive Alcohol

While the occasional drink may not be harmful, excessive and regular alcohol consumption is a well-documented cause of high blood pressure. Drinking too much alcohol can damage heart muscle, narrow blood vessels, and lead to water retention, all of which contribute to elevated blood pressure.

Hormonal Disruption: Alcohol can increase levels of hormones like renin, which causes blood vessels to constrict, and cortisol, a stress hormone that also raises blood pressure.
Water Retention: Drinking alcohol can cause the body to retain fluids, which increases the amount of fluid within blood vessels and raises pressure.
Medication Interference: Alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of various medications, including blood pressure drugs, making management more difficult.

The American Heart Association recommends limiting alcohol to no more than one drink per day for women and two for men. If you have high blood pressure, discussing your intake with a doctor is always a prudent step.

The Hidden Threat of High-Sodium Drinks

Though often associated with solid foods, many beverages contain high levels of sodium, a mineral that causes the body to retain water to dilute it. This increases blood volume and, in turn, raises blood pressure. For individuals with high blood pressure, limiting sodium intake is especially critical.

Tomato Juice: Many canned or bottled tomato juices contain surprisingly high levels of sodium. Always check the label and opt for low-sodium or unsalted varieties.
Milkshakes and Processed Drinks: Some commercially prepared milkshakes and other processed drinks contain added sodium for flavor enhancement. These, combined with high sugar content, are particularly harmful.

What to Drink and What to Avoid

To manage high blood pressure, understanding what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to embrace. Below is a comparison of typical unhealthy beverages versus their healthier alternatives.


Worst Drinks for High Blood Pressure	Healthier Alternatives
Soda and sugary drinks	Water (still or sparkling)
Energy drinks	Green or black tea (in moderation)
Excessive alcohol	Red or white wine (in moderation)
High-sodium tomato juice	Unsalted tomato juice
Processed fruit juice	Whole fruit (for fiber)
Milkshakes (high-sugar)	Low-fat milk or homemade smoothie

Whole fruits are preferable to processed fruit juice, as the fiber helps regulate blood sugar and nutrient absorption. Additionally, options like low-fat milk and some teas can be beneficial for blood pressure management.

A Note on Caffeine in Coffee

The effect of coffee on blood pressure is complex and varies by individual. While caffeine causes a temporary spike, habitual drinkers often develop a tolerance. However, people with existing hypertension should exercise caution and discuss their intake with a healthcare professional. Research suggests that more than two cups of caffeinated coffee per day may increase the risk of severe complications in some individuals. Opting for decaffeinated coffee is a safer alternative if you are sensitive or have severe hypertension.

Conclusion: Making Informed Choices for Your Heart

Managing high blood pressure is a long-term commitment that involves making informed dietary choices, including what you drink. The key is to be mindful of hidden sugars, excessive caffeine, and sodium that can lurk in common beverages. Limiting or eliminating sodas, energy drinks, and excessive alcohol is crucial, as is reading labels on products like tomato juice. Replacing these with water, unsweetened teas, and whole fruits is a significant step toward improving your cardiovascular health. For personalized advice, always consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian who can help tailor a nutrition plan to your specific needs. A heart-healthy diet is more than just avoiding salt; it's about embracing a broader, balanced approach to nutrition.

For more information, the American Heart Association provides extensive resources on managing blood pressure through diet and lifestyle changes. American Heart Association website

Frequently Asked Questions

Sugary drinks are harmful because they contain high levels of fructose, which the liver converts to fat, leading to weight gain and insulin resistance. Excess sugar also raises uric acid levels, which impairs the function of blood vessels and raises blood pressure.

No, it is strongly recommended that individuals with high blood pressure avoid energy drinks. The high levels of caffeine and other stimulants cause a rapid and significant increase in heart rate and blood pressure, which is dangerous for those with hypertension.

For those who choose to drink, the American Heart Association advises limiting intake to no more than one drink per day for women and two for men. Heavy or regular drinking should be avoided as it can raise blood pressure and interfere with medication.

While fresh, unsweetened fruit juice can have some benefits, many processed or '100% juice' options are high in natural sugars and fructose. For the most benefit, it is better to consume whole fruit, which contains fiber to regulate sugar absorption. Unsalted tomato juice can be a good option.

Caffeine causes a temporary rise in blood pressure. While regular coffee drinkers may develop a tolerance, excessive consumption can still be problematic, especially for those with severe hypertension. It's best to discuss your intake with a doctor and consider decaf if you are sensitive.

Healthier alternatives include water, unsweetened teas, and low-fat milk. Water, in particular, is crucial for hydration and helps manage blood pressure. You can add flavor to water with slices of citrus or berries.

Yes, some drinks, such as unsalted tomato juice, beetroot juice, and green or black tea, have been shown to have blood pressure-lowering effects due to their nitrate and antioxidant content.