Some exciting news has come from The University of Western Australia.
A recent study suggests that a simple daily habit—drinking three cups of black tea—could help keep our blood pressure in check. This is good news, especially for people at risk of heart disease.
What was the Study About?
The study involved 95 Australian adults, aged between 35 and 75. They were asked to drink either three cups of black tea daily or a similar-tasting drink with the same amount of caffeine but without actual tea.
This other drink was a placebo—a ‘dummy’ drink, used for comparison.
The Findings: Black Tea and Blood Pressure
The scientists observed these people for six months. After this time, they discovered something interesting.
The folks who had been drinking black tea had slightly lower blood pressure compared to those who drank the placebo.
To be exact, they noted a drop in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure of between 2 and 3 mmHg. Now, you might wonder what those terms mean.
Systolic blood pressure is the pressure in our arteries when our hearts are beating. Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure when our hearts are at rest, between beats.
Why is this important? High blood pressure can make us more likely to have heart disease. So, lowering blood pressure is generally good for heart health.
Understanding the Link Between Black Tea and Heart Health
The researchers believe that more studies are needed to fully understand how tea can reduce blood pressure.
But some past studies do suggest that regular tea drinking could be good for our blood vessels health.
The study’s lead author, Professor Jonathan Hodgson, pointed out that previous findings show tea could help our blood vessels relax. This might be why drinking tea could be linked with a lower risk of heart disease.
A Little More About Black Tea
Black tea is a more oxidized form of tea than green or white teas. This process gives it its strong flavor and higher caffeine content. It’s the most popular type of tea worldwide.
The researchers used black tea in this study, but it’s possible that other tea types might also help lower blood pressure.
The Bottom Line: Should We Drink More Black Tea?
This study gives us one more reason to enjoy a cup of black tea. It could be a simple and natural way to help control blood pressure and reduce heart disease risk.
However, it’s essential to remember that tea isn’t a miracle cure. If you have high blood pressure, it’s not a replacement for medication.
If you’re concerned about your blood pressure, the best thing to do is consult your healthcare provider.
Those interested in the details of this study can find it in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
If you’re curious about blood pressure, consider reading up on other studies, like how early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, or how long-term use of blood pressure drugs might impact kidney health.
You could also look into how plant-based foods might benefit those with high blood pressure.
If you care about blood pressure, please see recent studies about 5 medicines to treat high blood pressure, and vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
For more information about stroke, please see recent studies about how Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and coffee could help lower your risk of stroke and dementia.
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