Alcohol dilates surface blood vessels, but I don't think it has an effect on the deep veins. I don't know. I've always thought a glass of red wine hit the spot nicely, but I never noticed any differences in symptoms the next day. It's a way to relax, which might brighten one's mood, but mood-brightening wouldn't make leg raises or walking easier. If it's working for you, though, that is reason to keep drinking (in moderation)!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 174615.htmQuote:
After one drink of either red wine or alcohol, blood vessels were more “relaxed” or dilated, which reduced the amount of work the heart had to do. But, after two drinks, the heart rate, amount of blood pumped out of the heart, and action of the sympathetic nervous system all increased. At the same time, the ability of the blood vessels to expand in response to an increase in blood flow diminished.
Quote:
Two drinks of either alcohol or red wine:
•Increase sympathetic nerve activity, heart rate, and the amount of blood the heart pumps out, and also blunt the ability of the brachial artery to expand further in response to blood flow.
If the heart pumps out more blood, that might increase flow to and through the brain.