Can Green Tea Lower Blood Pressure?
Green tea has long been hailed for its many health benefits due to its high antioxidant content. Many studies have explored the potential of green tea to reduce blood pressure. This article will explore the evidence to see if green tea can help lower blood pressure.
How Does Green Tea Work?
Green tea contains flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants. These antioxidants help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, which can contribute to high blood pressure. Additionally, green tea has caffeine, which has been shown to help relax blood vessels, contributing to a decrease in blood pressure.
What Does the Research Say?
Several studies have investigated the effects of green tea on blood pressure. One study found that drinking green tea significantly reduced resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure after eight weeks. Another study found that green tea extract significantly reduced both diastolic and systolic blood pressure by three to four mmHg after six months.
Additionally, a systematic review of thirteen studies found that green tea extract had significant blood pressure-lowering effects when it was consumed for four weeks or more.
How to Incorporate Green Tea Into Your Diet
To make the most of green tea’s potential to lower your blood pressure, it is recommended to drink three to five cups per day. It is important to note that the caffeine content of green tea can differ from one brand to another. For those who are sensitive to caffeine, decaffeinated green tea can be a good alternative.
Green tea can also be incorporated into your diet in other forms. For example, green tea extract can be added to smoothies or baked goods, or green tea capsules can be taken as a dietary supplement.
Conclusion
The evidence suggests that green tea can help reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure when consumed regularly. Therefore, adding green tea to your diet could be a beneficial way to naturally lower your blood pressure. However, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider before making any drastic changes to your diet.
Benefits of Green Tea on Blood Pressure:
- Helps reduce inflammation
- Relaxes blood vessels
- Lower resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure
- Reduces blood pressure by 3-4 mmHg after six months
