Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDrinks for Heart HealthTeaTomato JuiceCacaoBerry JuiceBeet JuicePrune JuiceCitrus WaterWaterDrinks to Avoid
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Drinks for Heart Health
Tea
Tomato Juice
Cacao
Berry Juice
Beet Juice
Prune Juice
Citrus Water
Water
Drinks to Avoid
What you drink can affect your heart health. Your choices can affect yourblood pressure, heart rate, and risk for heart disease. This article will discuss the best beverages to drink to help your overall heart health.
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Studies show that certain beverages may lower your heart rate, blood pressure, and cholesterol and improve your overall heart health. Consider the following 10 drinks to incorporate into your diet for overall heart health.
Tea is chock-full of heart-healthy compounds likecatechinsandpolyphenolsthat can work to fightinflammation. One study followed more than 80,000 people over six years and found people who drank tea more than once a month had a 1% per year slowing of age-related declines inHDL(the healthy cholesterol) levels when compared with those who do not drink tea.
Researchers hypothesized that this could lead to an 8% decrease in cardiovascular disease risk but expressed caution in interpreting the results and recommended further study of the effects of tea drinking on heart health.
Matcha Tea
Matcha tea is a Japanese green tea powder that may protect you against heart disease.
In one review, researchers found drinking green tea may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in men while green tea consumption (more than three cups a day) may reduce the risk in women.The study also noted green tea consumption may also lower cholesterol and reducediastolic blood pressure(DBP).
Another study found that green tea produced a small (1 to 2 millimeters of mercury [mmHg]) systolic and diastolic blood pressure in short-term trials. However, it isn’t clear if drinking green tea can lower the heart rate.
Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea not only has a tart, vibrant flavor, but it’s also good for your heart.
You’ll want to avoid tomato juice with added salt. Excess dietary sodium can lead to high blood pressure, which is associated with an elevated heart rate.
Cacaois essentially cocoa in its purest form. Not only does it taste delicious, but moderate cacao or cocoa intake can also improve heart health.
Berries such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are good sources of antioxidants. Antioxidants work to fight oxidation and can help protect against heart disease and other chronic diseases.
A small study found that eating 200 grams (about one cup) of blueberries every day can reduce systolic blood pressure and improve overall blood vessel function. However, it isn’t clear if eating blueberries can lower your heart rate.
To keep your berry juice as nutritious as possible, opt for fresh berry juice and avoid adding sugar.
Beetroot is naturally rich in nitrate, which can reduce blood pressure and improve overall heart function. A small study showed that short-term nitrate-rich beetroot juicesupplementationcan reduce systolic blood pressure in both younger and older adults. Moreover, it reduced diastolic blood pressure to a greater degree in older adults.
Prune juice is made fromdried prunes or plums. It is rich in many nutrients such as potassium that benefits heart health.Potassium helps your heartbeat stay regular and can lessen the negative impact of sodium on your blood pressure.
A study found that daily consumption of 50-100 grams of dried plums can lower inflammation, total cholesterol, and oxidative stress inpostmenopausalwomen.
Drinking water infused with citrus fruits is a great way to increase your daily water intake. It may also protect your heart.
Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C.They are also rich in flavonoids, which can protect against heart disease, lower cholesterol levels, and improve blood pressure.
Next time you fix a glass of water, consider adding extra flavor and health benefits with citrus fruits.
One study found drinking 335 milliliters of tap water led to a small decrease in blood pressure and heart rate over a 30-minute period, but the effect was temporary and resolved after one hour.
If you’re experiencing a rapid heartbeat, some beverages can make it worse. Below are some drinks you’ll want to avoid if your heart rate is high.
Summary
Making lifestyle changes, eating a healthful diet, and including heart-healthy drinks in your day can help you lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as help improve your overall heart health.
21 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Huang S, Li J, Wu Y, et al.Tea consumption and longitudinal change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration in Chinese adults.Journal of the American Heart Association. 2018;7(13):e008814.Pang J, Zhang Z, Zheng T, et al.Association of green tea consumption with risk of coronary heart disease in Chinese population.Int J Cardiol. 2015;179:275-278.Xu R, Yang K, Ding J, Chen G.Effect of green tea supplementation on blood pressure.Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(6):e19047. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000019047Amos A, Khiatah B.Mechanisms of action of nutritionally rich hibiscus sabdariffa’s therapeutic uses in major common chronic diseases: a literature review.J Am Nutr Assoc. 202;41(1):116-124. doi:10.1080/07315724.2020.1848662Odai T, Terauchi M, Okamoto D, Hirose A, Miyasaka N.Unsalted tomato juice intake improves blood pressure and serum low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level in local Japanese residents at risk of cardiovascular disease.Food Sci Nutr. 2019;7(7):2271-2279. doi:10.1002/fsn3.1066Reule S, Drawz PE.Heart rate and blood pressure: any possible implications for management of hypertension?Curr Hypertens Rep. 2012;14(6):478-484. doi:10.1007/s11906-012-0306-3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sodium.Mostofsky E, Johansen MB, Tjønneland A, Chahal HS, Mittleman MA, Overvad K.Chocolate intake and risk of clinically apparent atrial fibrillation: the Danish Diet, Cancer, and Health Study.Heart. 2017;103(15):1163-1167. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2016-310357Huang W yang, Zhang H cheng, Liu W xu, Li C yang.Survey of antioxidant capacity and phenolic composition of blueberry, blackberry, and strawberry in Nanjing.J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2012;13(2):94-102. doi:10.1631/jzus.B1100137Rodriguez-Mateos A, Istas G, Boschek L, et al.Circulating anthocyanin metabolites mediate vascular benefits of blueberries: insights from randomized controlled trials, metabolomics, and nutrigenomics.The Journals of Gerontology: Series A. 2019;74(7):967-976. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glz047Stanaway L, Rutherfurd-Markwick K, Page R, et al.Acute supplementation with nitrate-rich beetroot juice causes a greater increase in plasma nitrite and reduction in blood pressure of older compared to younger adults.Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1683. doi:10.3390/nu11071683Dietary Guidelines for Americans.Food sources of potassium.MedlinePlus.Potassium.Hong MY, Kern M, Nakamichi-Lee M, Abbaspour N, Ahouraei Far A, Hooshmand S.Dried plum consumption improves total cholesterol and antioxidant capacity and reduces inflammation in healthy postmenopausal women.J Med Food. 2021;24(11):1161-1168. doi:10.1089/jmf.2020.0142National Institutes of Health.Vitamin C.Mahmoud AM, Hernández Bautista RJ, Sandhu MA, Hussein OE.Beneficial effects of citrus flavonoids on cardiovascular and metabolic health.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019;2019:5484138. doi:10.1155/2019/5484138MedlinePlus.Dehydration.Monnard CR, Grasser EK.Water ingestion decreases cardiac workload time-dependent in healthy adults with no effect of gender.Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):7939Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The buzz on energy drinks.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Excessive alcohol use.MedlinePlus.Caffeine.
21 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Huang S, Li J, Wu Y, et al.Tea consumption and longitudinal change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration in Chinese adults.Journal of the American Heart Association. 2018;7(13):e008814.Pang J, Zhang Z, Zheng T, et al.Association of green tea consumption with risk of coronary heart disease in Chinese population.Int J Cardiol. 2015;179:275-278.Xu R, Yang K, Ding J, Chen G.Effect of green tea supplementation on blood pressure.Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(6):e19047. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000019047Amos A, Khiatah B.Mechanisms of action of nutritionally rich hibiscus sabdariffa’s therapeutic uses in major common chronic diseases: a literature review.J Am Nutr Assoc. 202;41(1):116-124. doi:10.1080/07315724.2020.1848662Odai T, Terauchi M, Okamoto D, Hirose A, Miyasaka N.Unsalted tomato juice intake improves blood pressure and serum low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level in local Japanese residents at risk of cardiovascular disease.Food Sci Nutr. 2019;7(7):2271-2279. doi:10.1002/fsn3.1066Reule S, Drawz PE.Heart rate and blood pressure: any possible implications for management of hypertension?Curr Hypertens Rep. 2012;14(6):478-484. doi:10.1007/s11906-012-0306-3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sodium.Mostofsky E, Johansen MB, Tjønneland A, Chahal HS, Mittleman MA, Overvad K.Chocolate intake and risk of clinically apparent atrial fibrillation: the Danish Diet, Cancer, and Health Study.Heart. 2017;103(15):1163-1167. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2016-310357Huang W yang, Zhang H cheng, Liu W xu, Li C yang.Survey of antioxidant capacity and phenolic composition of blueberry, blackberry, and strawberry in Nanjing.J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2012;13(2):94-102. doi:10.1631/jzus.B1100137Rodriguez-Mateos A, Istas G, Boschek L, et al.Circulating anthocyanin metabolites mediate vascular benefits of blueberries: insights from randomized controlled trials, metabolomics, and nutrigenomics.The Journals of Gerontology: Series A. 2019;74(7):967-976. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glz047Stanaway L, Rutherfurd-Markwick K, Page R, et al.Acute supplementation with nitrate-rich beetroot juice causes a greater increase in plasma nitrite and reduction in blood pressure of older compared to younger adults.Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1683. doi:10.3390/nu11071683Dietary Guidelines for Americans.Food sources of potassium.MedlinePlus.Potassium.Hong MY, Kern M, Nakamichi-Lee M, Abbaspour N, Ahouraei Far A, Hooshmand S.Dried plum consumption improves total cholesterol and antioxidant capacity and reduces inflammation in healthy postmenopausal women.J Med Food. 2021;24(11):1161-1168. doi:10.1089/jmf.2020.0142National Institutes of Health.Vitamin C.Mahmoud AM, Hernández Bautista RJ, Sandhu MA, Hussein OE.Beneficial effects of citrus flavonoids on cardiovascular and metabolic health.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019;2019:5484138. doi:10.1155/2019/5484138MedlinePlus.Dehydration.Monnard CR, Grasser EK.Water ingestion decreases cardiac workload time-dependent in healthy adults with no effect of gender.Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):7939Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The buzz on energy drinks.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Excessive alcohol use.MedlinePlus.Caffeine.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Huang S, Li J, Wu Y, et al.Tea consumption and longitudinal change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration in Chinese adults.Journal of the American Heart Association. 2018;7(13):e008814.Pang J, Zhang Z, Zheng T, et al.Association of green tea consumption with risk of coronary heart disease in Chinese population.Int J Cardiol. 2015;179:275-278.Xu R, Yang K, Ding J, Chen G.Effect of green tea supplementation on blood pressure.Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(6):e19047. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000019047Amos A, Khiatah B.Mechanisms of action of nutritionally rich hibiscus sabdariffa’s therapeutic uses in major common chronic diseases: a literature review.J Am Nutr Assoc. 202;41(1):116-124. doi:10.1080/07315724.2020.1848662Odai T, Terauchi M, Okamoto D, Hirose A, Miyasaka N.Unsalted tomato juice intake improves blood pressure and serum low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level in local Japanese residents at risk of cardiovascular disease.Food Sci Nutr. 2019;7(7):2271-2279. doi:10.1002/fsn3.1066Reule S, Drawz PE.Heart rate and blood pressure: any possible implications for management of hypertension?Curr Hypertens Rep. 2012;14(6):478-484. doi:10.1007/s11906-012-0306-3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sodium.Mostofsky E, Johansen MB, Tjønneland A, Chahal HS, Mittleman MA, Overvad K.Chocolate intake and risk of clinically apparent atrial fibrillation: the Danish Diet, Cancer, and Health Study.Heart. 2017;103(15):1163-1167. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2016-310357Huang W yang, Zhang H cheng, Liu W xu, Li C yang.Survey of antioxidant capacity and phenolic composition of blueberry, blackberry, and strawberry in Nanjing.J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2012;13(2):94-102. doi:10.1631/jzus.B1100137Rodriguez-Mateos A, Istas G, Boschek L, et al.Circulating anthocyanin metabolites mediate vascular benefits of blueberries: insights from randomized controlled trials, metabolomics, and nutrigenomics.The Journals of Gerontology: Series A. 2019;74(7):967-976. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glz047Stanaway L, Rutherfurd-Markwick K, Page R, et al.Acute supplementation with nitrate-rich beetroot juice causes a greater increase in plasma nitrite and reduction in blood pressure of older compared to younger adults.Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1683. doi:10.3390/nu11071683Dietary Guidelines for Americans.Food sources of potassium.MedlinePlus.Potassium.Hong MY, Kern M, Nakamichi-Lee M, Abbaspour N, Ahouraei Far A, Hooshmand S.Dried plum consumption improves total cholesterol and antioxidant capacity and reduces inflammation in healthy postmenopausal women.J Med Food. 2021;24(11):1161-1168. doi:10.1089/jmf.2020.0142National Institutes of Health.Vitamin C.Mahmoud AM, Hernández Bautista RJ, Sandhu MA, Hussein OE.Beneficial effects of citrus flavonoids on cardiovascular and metabolic health.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019;2019:5484138. doi:10.1155/2019/5484138MedlinePlus.Dehydration.Monnard CR, Grasser EK.Water ingestion decreases cardiac workload time-dependent in healthy adults with no effect of gender.Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):7939Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The buzz on energy drinks.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Excessive alcohol use.MedlinePlus.Caffeine.
Huang S, Li J, Wu Y, et al.Tea consumption and longitudinal change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration in Chinese adults.Journal of the American Heart Association. 2018;7(13):e008814.
Pang J, Zhang Z, Zheng T, et al.Association of green tea consumption with risk of coronary heart disease in Chinese population.Int J Cardiol. 2015;179:275-278.
Xu R, Yang K, Ding J, Chen G.Effect of green tea supplementation on blood pressure.Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(6):e19047. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000019047
Amos A, Khiatah B.Mechanisms of action of nutritionally rich hibiscus sabdariffa’s therapeutic uses in major common chronic diseases: a literature review.J Am Nutr Assoc. 202;41(1):116-124. doi:10.1080/07315724.2020.1848662
Odai T, Terauchi M, Okamoto D, Hirose A, Miyasaka N.Unsalted tomato juice intake improves blood pressure and serum low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level in local Japanese residents at risk of cardiovascular disease.Food Sci Nutr. 2019;7(7):2271-2279. doi:10.1002/fsn3.1066
Reule S, Drawz PE.Heart rate and blood pressure: any possible implications for management of hypertension?Curr Hypertens Rep. 2012;14(6):478-484. doi:10.1007/s11906-012-0306-3
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sodium.
Mostofsky E, Johansen MB, Tjønneland A, Chahal HS, Mittleman MA, Overvad K.Chocolate intake and risk of clinically apparent atrial fibrillation: the Danish Diet, Cancer, and Health Study.Heart. 2017;103(15):1163-1167. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2016-310357
Huang W yang, Zhang H cheng, Liu W xu, Li C yang.Survey of antioxidant capacity and phenolic composition of blueberry, blackberry, and strawberry in Nanjing.J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2012;13(2):94-102. doi:10.1631/jzus.B1100137
Rodriguez-Mateos A, Istas G, Boschek L, et al.Circulating anthocyanin metabolites mediate vascular benefits of blueberries: insights from randomized controlled trials, metabolomics, and nutrigenomics.The Journals of Gerontology: Series A. 2019;74(7):967-976. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glz047
Stanaway L, Rutherfurd-Markwick K, Page R, et al.Acute supplementation with nitrate-rich beetroot juice causes a greater increase in plasma nitrite and reduction in blood pressure of older compared to younger adults.Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1683. doi:10.3390/nu11071683
Dietary Guidelines for Americans.Food sources of potassium.
MedlinePlus.Potassium.
Hong MY, Kern M, Nakamichi-Lee M, Abbaspour N, Ahouraei Far A, Hooshmand S.Dried plum consumption improves total cholesterol and antioxidant capacity and reduces inflammation in healthy postmenopausal women.J Med Food. 2021;24(11):1161-1168. doi:10.1089/jmf.2020.0142
National Institutes of Health.Vitamin C.
Mahmoud AM, Hernández Bautista RJ, Sandhu MA, Hussein OE.Beneficial effects of citrus flavonoids on cardiovascular and metabolic health.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019;2019:5484138. doi:10.1155/2019/5484138
MedlinePlus.Dehydration.
Monnard CR, Grasser EK.Water ingestion decreases cardiac workload time-dependent in healthy adults with no effect of gender.Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):7939
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The buzz on energy drinks.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Excessive alcohol use.
MedlinePlus.Caffeine.
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