High blood pressure: Hibiscus tea, pomegranate juice and kombucha to lower reading

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High blood pressure is medically known as hypertension and is when your blood pressure, the force of the blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels, is consistently too high. This has the net result of increasing the workload of the heart and blood vessels making them work harder and less efficiently. Left untreated dangerous health consequences can ensue. By drinking any of these three drinks, however, your blood pressure can be lowered.

Hibiscus tea

In a study published in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, use of hibiscus in lowering blood pressure in pre hypersensitive and hypertensive adults was analysed.

The study noted: “In vitro studies show Hibiscus sabdariffa L., an ingredient found in many herbal tea blends and other beverages, has antioxidant properties, and, in animal models, extracts of its calyces have demonstrated hypocholesterolaemia and antihypertensive properties.

“A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 65 pre- and mildly hypertensive adults, age 30-70 years old, not taking blood pressure (BP)-lowering medications, with either three 240-mL servings/d of brewed hibiscus tea or placebo beverage for six weeks.
“At six-weeks, hibiscus tea lowered systolic BP (SBP) compared with placebo.”

The study concluded that daily consumption of hibiscus tea, in an amount readily incorporated into the diet, lowers BP in pre- and mildly hypertensive adults and may prove an effective component of the dietary changes recommended for people with these conditions.

Pomegranate juice

In a study published in the National Library of Medicine, the effects of pomegranate juice consumption on blood pressure was investigated.

The study noted: “Pomegranate juice is rich in tannins, possesses anti-atherosclerotic properties, has anti-aging effects, and potent anti-oxidative characteristics.

“As some antioxidants have been shown to reduce blood pressure, the purpose of this review was to discover the effect of pomegranate juice consumption on blood pressure and cardiovascular health.

“Pomegranate juice consumption may reduce systolic blood pressure, inhibits serum ACE activity, and is convincingly a heart-healthy fruit.

“Pomegranate juice consumption inhibits serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity and reduces systolic blood pressure.”

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Kombucha

Kombucha is a fermented probiotic milk known to maintain the balance of good bacteria in the digestive system.

Much like yogurt, kombucha is loaded with beneficial bacterial.

It can ease digestive issues, restore good bacteria in the body, and boost your immunity and mood, says a report in Health.

 Health advocates say it helps your digestion, rids your body of toxins, and boosts your energy.

It’s also said to boost your immune system, help you lose weight, ward off high blood pressure and heart disease, and prevent cancer.

In study published in Hypertension, the effects of probiotics on blood pressure were looked at.

“Previous human clinical trials have shown that probiotic consumption may improve blood pressure (BP) control,” noted the study.

It continued: “The aim of the present systematic review was to clarify the effects of probiotics on BP using a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials.

“Probiotic consumption significantly changed systolic BP by −3.56 mm and diastolic BP by −2.38 mm Hg compared with control groups.

“A greater reduction was found with multiple as compared with single species of probiotics, for both systolic and diastolic BP.”

Diastolic vs systolic

A person’s systolic blood pressure is the top number on your reading.

It measures the force of blood against your artery walls while your ventricles, the lower two chambers of your heart squeeze, pushing blood out to the rest of your body.

Your diastolic blood pressure is the bottom number on your reading.

On top of consuming beverages to help lower blood pressure, reducing the amount of salt in your diet will also have positive effects on your reading.

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