Drinks That May Help Manage Blood Pressure

We may suffer from several complications – such as heart disease and stroke – if our blood pressure goes unchecked.

Our diet plays an important role in managing blood pressure. To prevent high blood pressure, we need to slash foods like salt and too many calories while increasing the intake of vegetables, fruits, and lean protein in our diet. In addition to certain foods, there are also some types of drinks that may be helpful.

Hibiscus Tea

According to a study in the Journal of Nutrition, drinking hibiscus tea can significantly lower blood pressure, particularly when it is slightly elevated. It was found that the tea contains anthocyanins and other antioxidants that may help blood vessels resist damage that can cause them to narrow. Experts recommend drinking 3 cups of hibiscus tea a day to reap this benefit. To get the full benefits, steep for six minutes before sipping it hot or cold (1).

Apple Cider Vinegar

This popular vinegar in the natural health community encompasses a plethora of health benefits. It has high amounts of potassium that pushes out excess sodium and toxins from the body as well as renin enzyme that causes the blood pressure to reduce. For this benefit, we simply need to mix apple cider vinegar with some honey in a glass of water and drink it in the morning (2).

Pomegranate Juice

This juice is loaded with potassium and other heart-healthy nutrients. Results of a 2017 review of clinically sound studies showed that regularly drinking pomegranate juice can significantly reduce blood pressure. It improved systolic blood pressure (the higher number in a blood pressure reading) regardless of how many weeks participants drank it (1).

Green Tea

According to a 2004 study, drinking green tea could help reduce blood pressure based on the results of 25 human trials. Consumption of it for a long period of time or at least 12 weeks showed better benefits when it comes to managing blood pressure (3).

Beet Juice

Drinking beet juice can reduce blood pressure in the short and long term (4).

In a study, researchers found that drinking about 1 cup of the juice every day for 4 weeks can provide positive effects within 24 hours in people with hypertension. Drinking 1 cup of the beet juice every day caused an average drop in blood pressure of around 8/4 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) (5). 

Lemon Water

Lemons are loaded with vitamin C, flavonoids, phenolic acids, essential oils, and coumarins. These are all part of a team of superhero substances called antioxidants that fight free radicals that diseases and other health problems including cardiovascular disease and diabetes (6).

One 2014 study found that women in Japan who walked regularly and consumed lemon every day had lower blood pressure than those who did not (7).

Sources:

  1. http://www.eatingwell.com/article/2052883/three-drinks-to-lower-blood-pressure/
  2. https://food.ndtv.com/health/6-healthy-drinks-for-managing-high-blood-pressure-or-hypertension-1910520
  3. https://www.msn.com/en-in/health/health-news/top-drinks-proven-to-lower-blood-pressure/ar-AAE1FRF
  4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322284#fifteen-foods-that-help-to-lower-blood-pressure
  5. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/hypertensionaha.114.04675
  6. https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-lemons-and-limes
  7. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/283476#benefits