Green Tea
Hibiscus Tea
Oolong Tea
Chamomile Tea
Rooibos Tea
Keep reading to discover how these teas may help lower your blood pressure. This post is conversational. I am not giving health advice. Speak to a healthcare professional before making any dietary changes.Â
Blood pressure is serious and should be monitored by a professional.
High blood pressure is the main reason why I turned plant-based. Blood pressure and heart attacks run in my family, so when I found out my pressure was up, the pressure was on to get it down and get it down fast. I did not want to end up like so many of my close relatives I had visited in hospital beds.Â
I also did not want to go on medication if I didn't have to, so I started to do some research. I was almost vegetarian as I felt better eating less meat. I started to find some information about plant-based living and decided to try it.Â
At the time, there were not many transition foods, and my whole-food plant-based eating was easy. I lost weight, which gave me more energy to exercise. I love tea and found some information about teas supporting lowering blood pressure.Â
If you are on medication, please be careful if consuming these teas, as it could affect your levels. Speak to your doctor before trying these teas. This list is more aimed at people with normal/high pressure than those with high pressure.Â
What Herbal Tea Lowers Blood Pressure?
The following is a list of some herbal teas that may lower blood pressure.
1. Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea contains bioactive phytochemicals such as anthocyanins and polyphenols. These compounds have been shown to act as natural ACE inhibitors, similar to some blood pressure medications, which can lower blood pressure by helping blood vessels relax.Â
Research indicates that drinking hibiscus tea daily can significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adults with mild to moderate hypertension.
2. Green Tea
Green tea is rich in catechins, an antioxidant that can improve blood vessel function and increase nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide helps relax blood vessels, which can lower blood pressure.Â
Additionally, the moderate caffeine content in green tea can stimulate a short-term increase in blood pressure, but long-term consumption has been linked to improved heart health and lower blood pressure levels.
Several studies have shown that regular consumption of green tea can lead to a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. However, consuming it in moderation is vital due to its caffeine content.
3. Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is partially fermented. The tea shares some of the antioxidant properties of green and black teas. These antioxidants can help reduce inflammation and improve the health of the heart and blood vessels, potentially lowering blood pressure.
Studies suggest that regular consumption of oolong tea can lead to modest reductions in blood pressure levels, attributed to its flavonoid content and its impact on improving blood vessel function.
4. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is known for its calming effects, which can be beneficial for reducing stress and anxiety levels. Since stress can temporarily increase blood pressure, chamomile's ability to promote relaxation can indirectly help manage blood pressure.
While direct evidence linking chamomile tea to lower blood pressure is limited, its stress-reducing properties are well-documented and can be complementary to managing hypertension.
5. Rooibos Tea
Rooibos tea is rich in antioxidants, including aspalathin and nothofagin, unique to the rooibos plant. These antioxidants can help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, improving cardiovascular health and potentially lowering blood pressure.
Although research is less extensive than green or hibiscus tea, some studies suggest that rooibos tea can improve heart health and reduce blood pressure.
Summary of Teas Good for High Blood Pressure
Some types of tea may be good for lowering high blood pressure, and there is some research to support this. The best action is to always speak to your healthcare provider.
Look at your lifestyle and try to understand the root cause of your issues. If a plant-based lifestyle can ease your problem, reduce stress, and provide exercise, this may be worth trying. Everyone's circumstances are different.Â
I still regularly monitor my blood pressure at home and have my doctors take it. At the moment, they are happy with the changes I have made, but given my family history, I will have to continue to be proactive about this. I hope you enjoyed this more personal blog post.Â
Interested in more tea talk? Read tea that helps your skin glow.
Research Resources
I have included some links to studies so that you can do some of your research. I encourage you to understand the causes and consequences of blood pressure so you can make an educated decision about your health.Â
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