High blood pressure: The hot beverage proven to help lower your reading

HIGH blood pressure is often due to a person's lifestyle and dietary habits. This is why what you consume and how you live your life could literally be a case of life or death as the condition is often related to heart attacks or strokes. Fortunately, a few simple tweaks and you will be on your way to lower readings and less health risks.

This Morning: Dr Chris urges people to 'know their numbers'

High blood pressure is also known as hypertension and is described by the amount of pressure that is extended on the artery walls as blood moves through them. The threshold which signals high blood pressure is a reading of 140/90mmHg or above. Optimal blood pressure is considered to be around 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. Drinking this beverage is known to help keep blood pressure reading healthy.

Green tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant.

The dried leaves and leaf buds of Camellia sinensis are used to produce various types of teas all known for their impressive health benefits.

Green tea is prepared by steaming and pan-frying these leaves and then drying them out.

Apart from helping with lower blood pressure reading, green tea also helps with depression, inflammatory bowel diseases, weight loss, headaches and to treat any stomach disorders.

High blood pressure: Drink to lower reading

High blood pressure: Drinking this hot beverage has been proven to lower your reading (Image: Getty Images)

Tea has enjoyed a healthy reputation for many years as a heart-protector and is a well-deserved notion.

A study published in the October issue of British Journal of Nutrition has could help lower blood pressure.

Researchers analysed 25 randomised controlled trials to help further explore its possible connection.

The researchers discovered that long-term green tea  had a significant impact on one’s blood pressure reading.

They found that after 12-weeks of drinking the tea, blood pressure was remarkably lower by 2.6mmHg systolic and 2.2mmHg diastolic.

How green tea could help with reading

Tea is known to offer endothelial protection by helping blood vessels relax.

By relaxing blood vessels, blood is able to flow more freely through them.

Green tea is also a high source of antioxidants which has been linked to overall better cardiovascular health.

It’s unclear how many cups a day is needed to gain the full benefits, but other studies have suggested around three to four cups should be significant.

High blood pressure: Green tea

High blood pressure: Green tea contains polyphenols which help lower reading (Image: Getty Images)

In a study published in Medicine, the health benefits of green tea were analysed.

The study noted: “Lifestyle modifications have been shown to be effective in regulating blood pressure.

“In particular, nutrition therapies have shown beneficial effects for the prevention and control of hypertension.

“Green tea is widely consumed worldwide and is traditionally used in Asian countries as a medication.

The mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of green tea are mainly attributed to it's flavonoid-like polyphenol contents such as catechins.”

Green tea is believed to be one of the healthiest hot beverages to consume.

When it comes to other beverages, the NHS advised: “Drinking more than four cups of coffee a day may increase your blood pressure.

“If you’re a big fan of coffee or other caffeine-rich drinks, such as cola and some energy drinks, consider cutting down.

“It’s fine to drink coffee as part of a balanced diet, but its important that these drinks are not your main or only source of fluid.”

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?