High blood pressure: The exotic flower-based tea that could help reduce your reading
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Do you wake up in the mornings with high blood pressure? Sipping on a certain brew could help lower your readings, which can only be a good thing.
Consistently high blood pressure increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke – two deadly conditions.
Medically termed hypertension, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) stated it’s a “serious” health concern.
This is because hypertension can lead to kidney failure, heart failure, and vascular dementia.
High blood pressure hardly has any noticeable symptoms, so it’s important to know your blood pressure reading.
A sphygmomanometer is used (i.e. a digital electronic monitor connected to an inflatable cuff).
Normal blood pressure readings range from 90/60mmHg to 140/90mmHg; any reading above 140/90mmHg suggests you have hypertension.
One exotic flower-based tea could help you lower your readings – what is it?
Known to have a tart flavour, this brew can be enjoyed hot or cold, and contains antioxidants.
The Human Nutrition Research Centre on Ageing at Tufts University, Boston USA, examined the antihypertensive effects of hibiscus tea.
For their clinical trials, the researchers enrolled 65 pre- and mildly hypertensive adults between the ages of 30 to 70 years old.
Those involved in the study were not on medication to lower their blood pressure.
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Participants were randomly selected to complete a six-week trial drinking three 240ml servings of hibiscus tea or placebo.
Blood pressure readings were measured at baseline (meaning before the trial began) and at weekly intervals.
By week six, the hibiscus tea drinkers had a reduction in blood pressure compared to the placebo group.
Interestingly, participants who had higher blood pressure at the beginning of the experiment showed a greater response to hibiscus treatment.
The researchers concluded that “daily consumption of hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure”.
Building on this evidence, the University of Medical Sciences in Iran, conducted a review on previous trials on hibiscus and blood pressure.
They noted how the “tropical wild plant” is rich in “organic acids, polyphenols, anthocyanins, and polysaccharides – beneficial for the cardiovascular system”.
Delving into the date of five trials, their analysis looked at the results of 390 participants who had either taken hibiscus or placebo.
They found that hibiscus tea drinkers – in all trials – experienced lower blood pressure compared to placebo.
On average, systolic blood pressure (the first part of the reading) decreased by 7.58mmHg in hibiscus tea drinkers.
The diastolic blood pressure (the second part of the reading) reduced, on average, by 3.53mmHg for hibiscus tea drinkers.
If you’re currently on medication for blood pressure, please speak with your doctor before trying hibiscus tea.
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