Drinking black tea regularly may reduce blood pressure

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A recent study from The University of Western Australia has found that drinking a cup of black tea three times a day could substantially lower blood pressure, thereby reducing a major risk factor for heart disease.

This research strengthens the growing body of evidence that suggests tea consumption is beneficial for heart health.

The study involved 95 Australian adults aged between 35 and 75, who were assigned to drink either three cups of black tea or a placebo daily.

The placebo matched the black tea in flavor and caffeine content but was not derived from tea. The participants’ health and blood pressure levels were monitored for six months.

Findings of the Study

Researchers observed that participants who consumed black tea exhibited lower 24-hour systolic and diastolic blood pressure by between 2 and 3 mmHg compared to those who consumed the placebo.

Blood pressure is composed of two measurements: systolic pressure, which reflects the pressure when the heart beats, and diastolic pressure, which measures the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.

Implications and Further Research

These findings suggest that regular consumption of black tea may offer a simple and accessible way to reduce high blood pressure, a significant risk factor for heart disease.

However, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanism by which tea influences blood pressure.

Previous studies have proposed a link between tea consumption and improved blood vessel health, which could provide a potential avenue for further investigation.

The study, led by Jonathan Hodgson, was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about cannabis linked to blood pressure reduction in older people, and red onion skin could help reduce high blood pressure.

For more information about health, please see recent studies about how to live with high blood pressure, and results showing Triclosan, a common antimicrobial in toothpaste, linked to inflammation in the gut.

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