Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are Catechins?Benefits of Tea for Blood PressureBest Teas for Blood PressureDiagnosis and TreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Are Catechins?
Benefits of Tea for Blood Pressure
Best Teas for Blood Pressure
Diagnosis and Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Hypertension (high blood pressure)means that blood flows through your arteries at higher-than-normal pressure. If left untreated, hypertension can cause complications such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Hypertension affects nearly half of adults in the United States. An estimated 47% of Americans have systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure greater than 80 mmHg, or are taking medication for hypertension.
What Is Blood Pressure?Systolic pressure: The pressure when the ventricles pump blood out of the heartDiastolic pressure: The pressure between heartbeats when the heart is filling with blood
What Is Blood Pressure?
Systolic pressure: The pressure when the ventricles pump blood out of the heartDiastolic pressure: The pressure between heartbeats when the heart is filling with blood
Systolic pressure: The pressure when the ventricles pump blood out of the heart
Diastolic pressure: The pressure between heartbeats when the heart is filling with blood
Hypertension is typically treated with heart-healthy lifestyle changes such as a healthy low-sodium diet and regular exercise. Medication to reduce blood pressure may also be needed.
Some people also use supplements and other natural remedies to help manage blood pressure. For instance, research suggests that certain teas, such as black tea and green tea, may help lower blood pressure.
This article will look at the science of how tea affects blood pressure, and how best to get the benefits.
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All tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. The level of leaf fermentation determines the type of tea:
Herbal teas are not considered true teas, because they are made from plants other than the Camellia sinensis plant.
The leaves of Camellia sinensis contain polyphenols that belong to the catechin family. These catechins are:
These catechins have antioxidant properties.Antioxidantsfight free radicals (molecules that cause oxidation from chemical reactions in the body). This helps prevent or delay cell damage and protect against inflammation.
White and green tea contain a higher concentration of catechins than other tea varieties. That’s because the fermentation process used to make black or oolong tea causes the oxidization of catechins.
The antioxidants found in tea have also been shown to relax blood vessels, which helps lower blood pressure. One meta-analysis showed regular green and black tea intake was associated with a 3.53 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and a 0.99 mmHg reduction in diastolic blood pressure (DBP).
A study built upon previous research showed that tea can help lower blood pressure. The researchers were looking for why tea has this effect.
The study found that two specific compounds affect a type of protein (called KCNQ5) found in the smooth muscle that lines blood vessels. Activating this protein causes the blood vessels to relax, creating better blood flow, which lowers blood pressure.
Tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that has been shown to lower blood pressure in people under stress, easing anxiety.
It’s worth noting that the ritual of brewing tea, then sitting and enjoying a cup, also has a relaxing effect that can reduce stress—another factor in lowering blood pressure.
An analysis showed that while results varied between studies, overall the research supported the blood pressure-lowering effects of tea.
Green Tea
A 2013 meta-analysis of 13 studies showed that, overall, green tea consumption significantly decreased SBP and DBP.
This analysis and the studies within them had some limitations, and the results should be viewed as promising rather than conclusive.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health acknowledges that some research supports green tea’s positive effects on blood pressure, but notes that many of the studies are inconclusive and limited.
Green teacontains caffeine. When looking at labels, be aware that only added caffeine is required to be listed; the naturally occurring caffeine in the green tea may not be noted.
When consumed as a beverage, green tea is believed to be safe at up to eight cups per day.
Green tea should be avoided or consumed with care during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If consumed, limit it to six cups or less per day (no more than about 200 mg of caffeine).
Uncommonly, reports of liver damage have occurred with people who consumed green tea products, mostly in green tea extracts in pill form.
Can Drinking Tea Reduce Iron Absorption From Food?
Black Tea
Similar to green tea, studies have shown black tea can lower blood pressure.It may also have other heart-protecting properties.
A Swedish study following the health of 74,961 women and men over 10.2 years suggested that consuming four or more cups of black tea per day is associated with a lower risk of stroke.
Black tea also contains caffeine. Limit consumption to eight or fewer cups a day of black tea to stay within a safe level of caffeine.
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consume less caffeine, in accordance with their healthcare provider’s recommendations.
What About Oolong?The benefits of oolong tea on blood pressure have not been specifically studied. However, oolong tea contains the same antioxidants as black and green tea, so it’s likely that oolong has similar benefits. More research is needed to confirm its effect on blood pressure.
What About Oolong?
The benefits of oolong tea on blood pressure have not been specifically studied. However, oolong tea contains the same antioxidants as black and green tea, so it’s likely that oolong has similar benefits. More research is needed to confirm its effect on blood pressure.
Hibiscus
While not a traditional tea, a meta-analysis of studies showed that beverages made with the tropical plantHibiscus sabdariffaL. were effective in lowering both SBP and DBP. While promising, more studies are needed to confirm this finding.
Hibiscus tea is caffeine free. While generally considered safe, a 2013 study mentions the potential for liver damage at high doses.
Avoid drinking aHibiscus sabdariffabeverage before takingacetaminophen (Tylenol), as the tea might increase how fast the body gets rid of acetaminophen. More information is needed to determine if this is considered more than a minor concern.
Health Benefits of White Kidney Bean Extract
Diagnosis
Treatment
Treatments for hypertensioninclude:
What Causes High Blood Pressure (HBP)?
A Word From Verywell
High blood pressure can be a frustrating diagnosis to deal with, but the condition is manageable with lifestyle changes, exercise, and medication. Research suggests that drinking tea may be a healthy habit worth adding to your lifestyle to help lower blood pressure. Just enjoy this beverage in moderation to avoid consuming too much caffeine.
The health benefits of tea are still being studied, but research suggests certain teas may lower the risk of developing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and diabetes. These results are not conclusive and should be viewed as promising rather than concrete.
Practicing healthy lifestyle habits (such as eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol, not smoking, managing stress, and getting enough sleep) can help lower and prevent high blood pressure.
These treatments may not be enough to adequately lower blood pressure. Medication may be needed as well.
Research suggests that while caffeine may increase blood pressure for a short time after drinking it, it doesn’t increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, or heart attack in typical doses.Learn MoreDoes Caffeine Increase Blood Pressure?
Research suggests that while caffeine may increase blood pressure for a short time after drinking it, it doesn’t increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, or heart attack in typical doses.
Learn MoreDoes Caffeine Increase Blood Pressure?
14 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.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.High blood pressure.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.High blood pressure facts.
Li D, Wang R, Huang J, et al.Effects and mechanisms of tea regulating blood pressure: evidences and promises.Nutrients. 2019;11(5):1115. doi:10.3390/nu11051115
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Antioxidant supplements: What you need to know.
Mahdavi-Roshan M, Salari A, Ghorbani Z, Ashouri A.The effects of regular consumption of green or black tea beverage on blood pressure in those with elevated blood pressure or hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Complement Ther Med. 2020;51:102430. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102430
Yoto A, Motoki M, Murao S, Yokogoshi H.Effects of L-theanine or caffeine intake on changes in blood pressure under physical and psychological stresses.J Physiol Anthropol. 2012;31(1):28. doi:10.1186/1880-6805-31-28
Peng X, Zhou R, Wang B, et al.Effect of green tea consumption on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials.Sci Rep. 2014;4:6251. doi:10.1038/srep06251
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Green tea.
Larsson SC, Virtamo J, Wolk A.Black tea consumption and risk of stroke in women and men.Ann Epidemiol. 2013;23(3):157-160. doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2012.12.006
Serban C, Sahebkar A, Ursoniu S, Andrica F, Banach M.Effect of sour tea (Hibiscus sabdariffaL.) on arterial hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Hypertens. 2015;33(6):1119-1127. doi:10.1097/HJH.0000000000000585
Hopkins AL, Lamm MG, Funk JL, Ritenbaugh C.Hibiscus sabdariffaL. in the treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidemia: a comprehensive review of animal and human studies.Fitoterapia. 2013;85:84-94. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2013.01.003
MedlinePlus.Hibiscus sabdariffa.
Khan N, Mukhtar H.Tea polyphenols in promotion of human health.Nutrients. 2018;11(1):39. doi:10.3390/nu11010039
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