Does green tea lower blood pressure? 🩸
That’s exactly what we’re trying to find out! In this article, we’re going to answer all your green tea blood pressure questions like is green tea good for high blood pressure, does green tea thin your blood and more!
We’ll also take a bit of a detour and look at green tea and blood sugar to find out does green tea lower blood sugar.
Let’s get started! 👨⚕️
Does green tea lower blood pressure?
Does green tea lower blood pressure
So does green tea lower blood pressure? Green tea may have a modest impact on lowering blood pressure for some individuals due to its beneficial compounds.
By the way, if you're interested in the general health benefits of green tea, we recommend you read this article here 👉 Is green tea good for you? A Tea Expert Weighs in
The Catechins in Green Tea and Blood Pressure
It contains catechins, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which have been associated with improved cardiovascular health. These catechins have vasodilatory effects, which means they can help relax and widen blood vessels, potentially reducing blood pressure.
How much can green tea lower blood pressure?
The effect of green tea and high blood pressure is generally mild, and the results can vary among individuals. To experience a significant reduction in blood pressure, it's important to maintain a balanced diet, active lifestyle, and healthy habits alongside moderate green tea consumption.
Why is green tea good for blood pressure
So Why is green tea good for blood pressure exactly? As we mentioned before, when blood vessels are in a state of constriction, they restrict the flow of blood and create resistance, which can elevate blood pressure.
Vasodilation, on the other hand, refers to the widening of blood vessels, resulting in a decrease in resistance and allowing blood to flow more freely.
Is green tea a blood thinner?
Because there's a benefit of green tea for high blood pressure, you may be asking is green tea a blood thinner? The answer is yes, the compounds in green tea lower blood pressure not only through vasodilation, but also by thinning the blood (very slightly).
Why is green tea a blood thinner?
As we mentioned before in our green tea blood pressure guide, green tea contains catechins. These catechins can inhibit certain enzymes involved in blood clotting, such as thrombin and factor Xa, which play key roles in the coagulation process
The blood-thinning effect of green tea is relatively weak and may not be of clinical significance for most people. So is green tea a blood thinner? Kind of, but not really.
Which green tea is best for high blood pressure
So now that we’ve talked about how the compounds in green tea lower blood pressure, let’s talk about which green tea is best for high blood pressure. Here are some of our favorite types of green tea for blood pressure:
Sencha
Sencha tea is one of the most commonly consumed green teas in Japan.
It is rich in catechins, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which have vasodilatory effects.
These catechins can help relax and widen blood vessels, potentially reducing blood pressure.
Sencha is a great tea to drink everyday, and if you want to learn more about the benefits, you can read this guide here 👉 What is Sencha Tea Good For?
Matcha
Matcha contains L-theanine, an amino acid that can have calming effects, potentially reducing stress, which is often associated with high blood pressure. If you want to learn more about the benefits of this delicious tea, you can read about them here 👉 What do Scientists say about Matcha Benefits? Find Out Here
Hojicha
Hojicha is a roasted green tea with a toasty and nutty flavor.
The roasting process reduces the tea's caffeine content, making it a gentler option for those sensitive to caffeine.
While it may not be as high in catechins as other green teas, its soothing taste and caffeine reduction can make it a good choice for individuals with high blood pressure.
Genmaicha
The rice adds a unique flavor, and the tea itself contains beneficial catechins.
This combination of flavors, along with the potential vasodilatory effects of catechins, can make it a comforting and heart-healthy choice.
Does green tea raise blood pressure if its high in caffeine?
So we’ve talked about why green tea is good for high blood pressure, but what about the caffeine? Isn’t that bad for blood pressure?
Even though most green tea only contains a modest amount of caffeine, it can temporarily raise blood pressure. This effect is generally more pronounced in individuals who are sensitive to caffeine or consume it in large quantities.
How does green tea increase blood pressure temporarily?
Caffeine is a natural stimulant that can increase heart rate and stimulate the central nervous system. This stimulation may lead to a temporary increase in blood pressure.
Caffeine can also cause blood vessels to constrict (narrow), which can elevate blood pressure by increasing resistance to blood flow. If you want to learn more about the caffeine in green tea, we suggest you read this article here 👉 Does Green Tea Have Caffeine? We Reveal the Truth
Can green tea lower blood pressure immediately after drinking?
So does green tea lower blood pressure within a few minutes after drinking it? No, the green tea blood pressure benefits will take time, and it actually may lead to higher blood pressure in the short term because of the caffeine.
So if you want to take advantage of the green tea blood pressure benefits, you will need to drink moderate amounts of green tea over an extended period of time.
Does green tea lower blood sugar?
Now that we’ve talked about all the green tea high blood pressure benefits, let’s take a moment to discuss green tea and blood sugar. Green tea is thought to improve blood pressure, and it can even help with insulin levels.
The main components in green tea that are believed to contribute to its influence on blood sugar include catechins, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and polyphenols.
Catechins in green tea and blood sugar
Green tea may enhance the body's sensitivity to insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Improved insulin sensitivity means that the body can more effectively utilize glucose from the bloodstream, potentially leading to better blood sugar control.
Some studies have indicated that green tea can inhibit the absorption of glucose in the digestive tract, helping to prevent rapid spikes in blood sugar levels after meals.
Blood pressure and pregnancy
Can you drink green tea while pregnant?
Green tea contains caffeine, albeit in lower amounts compared to coffee or black tea, and it also contains compounds called catechins, which can have both positive and potentially negative effects on pregnancy.
If you want to learn more about the topic, make sure to read the article 👉 Can You Drink Green Tea While Pregnant? Read This First
Does green tea lower blood pressure? The Final Verdict
So does green tea lower blood pressure? The answer is yes, but the effects are quite minimal. Green tea is great to enjoy for its delicious flavor, and of course it does come with certain health benefits. That being said, it is best to think of it as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.
What about the side effect of green tea? This is a question we're covering in our latest article 👉 Avoiding Green Tea Side Effects: What You Need To Know
Does green tea help blood pressure more than other drinks?
So does green tea lower blood pressure compared to other drinks? The effects of green tea and high blood pressure seem to be better compared to coffee and soft drinks, for example but herbal tea could be a better option due to the caffeine content.
