Scientists from The University of Western Australia recently have shown that drinking three cups of black tea a day can significantly lower blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease.
The findings add to the mounting evidence that tea is good for heart health, and offer hope for people with high blood pressure who are looking for a natural way to reduce their risk of heart disease.
The study involved 95 Australian adults between the ages of 35 and 75 who were recruited to drink either three cups of black tea or a placebo with the same flavor and caffeine content, but not derived from tea.
After six months, the researchers found that the group drinking black tea had a lower 24-hour systolic and diastolic blood pressure of between 2 and 3 mmHg compared to the placebo group.
Systolic blood pressure measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats or contracts to push blood through the body, while diastolic blood pressure measures the amount of pressure in between beats when the heart is at rest.
High blood pressure can increase a person’s risk of heart disease.
The researchers noted that more research is needed to better understand how tea may reduce blood pressure.
However, previous studies have shown a link between tea drinking and the improved health of people’s blood vessels.
The study’s lead author, Professor Jonathan Hodgson, emphasized the importance of the findings, saying, “The results of this study support previous findings that tea can improve endothelial function, which is the ability of blood vessels to relax.
This may be one reason why drinking tea has been associated with a lower risk of heart disease in some studies.”
Black tea is a type of tea that is more oxidized than other types, such as green or white tea.
It is the most commonly consumed tea worldwide and is known for its robust flavor and caffeine content.
The researchers used black tea in this study, but it is possible that other types of tea could also have similar effects on blood pressure.
In conclusion, the study provides further evidence that black tea may be a simple and effective way to reduce blood pressure and lower the risk of heart disease.
However, it is important to note that tea should not be seen as a substitute for medication for those with high blood pressure.
Anyone with concerns about their blood pressure should consult their healthcare provider for advice. The study was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and long-term use of high blood pressure drugs may cause kidney damage.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about new way to treat high blood pressure, and results showing plant-based foods could benefit people with high blood pressure.
The study was conducted by Jonathan Hodgson et al and published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
