Can Tea Raise Your Blood Pressure?
It is well-known that drinking tea can be beneficial to one’s health, however drinking too much can lead to elevated blood pressure, also known as hypertension. Although there is evidence to indicate that too much tea might be associated with higher blood pressure, further research is needed to determine the extent of this correlation.
Effects of Caffeine on Blood Pressure
It is very well known that caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee, and soda can cause short-term elevation in blood pressure. A study conducted in 2017 found that when participants consumed 500mg of caffeine their average blood pressure was 6 points higher than what it was before the caffeine intake. It has been noted, however, that this effect is short-term, and does not have an effect after several hours.
Different Types of Tea
There are a number of different types of tea, all of which are associated with different levels of caffeine. For example:
- Black Tea – Contains the highest amount of caffeine, with 40-70mg per cup
- Green Tea – Typically contains 15-60mg of caffeine per cup
- Oolong Tea – Usually contains 10-55mg of caffeine per cup
- White Tea – Has the lowest amount of caffeine, with 6-25mg per cup
These differences in levels of caffeine may have an effect on levels of blood pressure when drinking tea, as well as how much tea an individual may need to drink before the effects of caffeine become beneficial for their health.
Overall Effects on Blood Pressure
Overall, while research is limited on the effects of tea on blood pressure, it is likely that drinking tea in moderation will not cause any significant increase in blood pressure. Further research is needed to determine how different types of tea affect an individual’s blood pressure in the long term.
