High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a critical health concern that can lead to severe heart and cardiovascular issues if left unmanaged. The condition affects 1.3 billion people worldwide, killing approximately 10 million people every year.
Although medication and lifestyle changes are often recommended to control blood pressure, natural remedies like black and green tea are believed to be effective as well. Multiple studies have suggested that drinking tea can help lower blood pressure. So, why not make it a part of your daily routine and enjoy the many benefits it offers for your cardiovascular health? This article will look at some of the best teas that can help manage high blood pressure.
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Hibiscus tea, with its striking red hue and a pleasantly tangy, faintly sour taste, is prepared from dried hibiscus flower petals. Packed with beneficial compounds such as anthocyanins and polyphenols, it is believed to have vasodilatory effects, potentially reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels. Notably, a 2019 study highlights the regular consumption of hibiscus tea as an effective means of lowering blood pressure, establishing its status as a favored natural remedy for hypertension.
Hibiscus tea is caffeine-free. While generally believed to be safe, a 2013 study suggests the possibility of liver damage at large doses.
Green tea has become a popular beverage around the world due to its numerous health benefits. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is one of the bioactive compounds found in this tea, which has been associated with a variety of health benefits, including lowering blood pressure.
The results of a study conducted in Southwest China in 2023, involving over 76,000 people, reveal that green tea consumption is associated with a decrease in systolic blood pressure, regardless of quantity or duration. Furthermore, a 2013 meta-analysis of 13 trials found that drinking green tea significantly reduced systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure.
Green tea is said to be safe to drink up to eight cups per day. During pregnancy and lactation, green tea should be avoided or consumed cautiously. Limit your consumption to six cups or less per day (no more than 200 mg caffeine).
Black tea has been shown to have a positive effect on reducing blood pressure levels. Moreover, black tea may offer additional cardiovascular protection. Findings from a comprehensive Swedish study tracking the well-being of 74,961 individuals over 10.2 years indicate that the consumption of four or more cups of black tea daily is linked to a reduced likelihood of suffering a stroke.
Black tea also contains caffeine. To stay under a safe caffeine level, limit your daily consumption of black tea to eight cups or less.
Olive leaf tea has a mild, herbal flavor and is prepared from the leaves of the olive tree. It contains compounds such as oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol, which may help regulate blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. According to a recent study, participants who consumed olive leaf tea twice daily for 28 weeks experienced significant reductions in their systolic and diastolic blood pressure within 4 weeks after steeping 5 grams of dried, ground leaves in 250 milliliters of warm water for 28 weeks.
Also worth noting is that a significant portion of the study's subjects, specifically individuals who had been diagnosed with both type 2 diabetes and prehypertension, successfully managed to attain healthy blood pressure levels.
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Chamomile tea's mild and soothing qualities have earned it a reputation for promoting relaxation and reducing stress, potentially leading to improved blood pressure. Its composition boasts various beneficial compounds, such as flavonoids, terpenoids, and coumarins, which are responsible for its therapeutic benefits.
Findings from a 2020 study suggest that this tea can be beneficial in a variety of areas including anti-inflammation, antioxidation, liver protection, potential anticancer effects, and blood pressure regulation.
Hawthorn berry tea, prepared from the hawthorn tree's fruits, has a subtly sweet and tangy taste. Hawthorn tea has long been used to support heart health as it may help widen blood vessels, improve blood circulation, and lower blood pressure.
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A review of four randomized controlled trials found that hawthorn preparations (tablets or liquid drops) were significantly effective in lowering blood pressure in individuals with mild hypertension (prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension) when taken for at least twelve weeks. The trials did not specifically test hawthorn tea, but it is worth noting that many of the beneficial compounds found in the tea may also contribute to these effects.