The best and worst drinks for managing high blood pressure

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High blood pressure, often called the “silent killer,” is a common condition that can cause serious health problems like heart disease and stroke.

It usually doesn’t show any symptoms, so many people don’t even know they have it. The good news is that your diet—including what you drink—can play a big role in managing and improving your blood pressure.

Let’s look at some drinks that can help lower your blood pressure, as well as a few you might want to cut back on.

First, beetroot juice is one of the top choices for lowering blood pressure. Beets are packed with nitrates, which your body turns into nitric oxide. This helps relax your blood vessels so that blood flows more easily. Studies show that drinking beetroot juice can lower your blood pressure within just a few hours.

Another great option is hibiscus tea. This bright red tea is made from dried hibiscus flowers and is full of antioxidants. These help protect your blood vessels and reduce the top number in your blood pressure reading. Drinking hibiscus tea regularly has been linked to noticeable drops in blood pressure.

Pomegranate juice is both tasty and heart-healthy. It’s rich in antioxidants that can improve blood flow and lower both the top and bottom numbers of your blood pressure. A glass a day could have a real impact.

And of course, water is essential. Staying hydrated helps your body work smoothly and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood. Drinking enough water each day supports healthy blood pressure levels.

On the other hand, there are drinks that can raise your blood pressure and should be limited or avoided.

Alcohol is one of them. While small amounts might offer some heart benefits, drinking too much can cause your blood pressure to rise. It’s best to follow health guidelines—no more than two drinks a day for men and one for women, or even less if you already have high blood pressure.

Caffeine is another drink ingredient to watch. Found in coffee, tea, and energy drinks, caffeine can cause a quick rise in blood pressure for some people. If you have high blood pressure, consider limiting how much caffeine you consume or monitor how it affects your body.

Sugary drinks like sodas, sweetened teas, and fruit punches should also be avoided. These drinks can lead to weight gain and increase your risk for high blood pressure. They can also cause spikes in blood sugar, which may impact your heart health.

To sum up, your choice of drinks can make a big difference in managing high blood pressure. Healthy options like beetroot juice, hibiscus tea, pomegranate juice, and water can help lower your blood pressure and support heart health. Meanwhile, cutting back on alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks can help keep your numbers in a safe range.

These tips work best when combined with other healthy habits like eating a balanced diet, exercising, reducing stress, and following any treatment plans from your doctor. Always talk to a healthcare professional before making major changes to your diet or lifestyle.

If you care about blood pressure, please read studies that new research challenges conventional blood pressure guidelines and scientists make a big breakthrough in high blood pressure treatment.

For more information about blood pressure, please read studies that widely used blood pressure drug may increase eye disease risk and common blood pressure drugs linked to cognitive decline.

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