Uncontrolled or untreated high blood pressure can have dire health consequences, most notably cardiovascular disease and stroke. Besides taking medications and eating a healthy diet, research shows that certain supplements, such as green tea extract and magnesium, are effective for lowering blood pressure. Please consult with your health care provider before taking any supplements for blood pressure.
Magnesium
The mineral magnesium might be effective in lowering blood pressure, according to the Science Daily website. Researchers examined the effects of magnesium supplementation on blood pressure. Participants supplementing with magnesium experienced small, but significant reductions in blood pressure. Scientists suggest that magnesium plays a crucial role in relaxing blood vessels, which allows the heart to pump blood more easily through the body.
Garlic Extract
In a 2010 study conducted by the University of Adelaide, Australia, and published in the journal of "Maturitas," researchers investigated the impact of garlic extract on patients with treated, but uncontrolled, high blood pressure. During the 12-week study, patients consumed garlic extract or a placebo. Scientists discovered that the garlic extract group had significant reductions in blood pressure compared with the placebo group.
Green Tea Extract
One of the health benefits of green tea extract is its ability to improve blood pressure, according to research reported in the October 2008 issue of the journal of "Nutrition." Subjects received green tea extract or a placebo for three weeks. Researcher reported reductions of systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 5 mm Hg and 4 mm Hg, respectively, in the green tea extract group as compared with those taking a placebo. They noted that catechins, antioxidant compounds found in green tea, may be responsible for the results.
Whey Protein
Researchers from Washington State University studied the effects of whey protein on prehypertensive and hypertensive participants, according to the 2010 issue of the "International Dairy Journal." Participants taking 28 grams of whey protein concentrate or 28 grams of whey hydrolyzed protein experienced improvements in blood pressure measurements. Whey protein increases nitric oxide production, which helps regulate blood pressure, according to the researchers.
References
- Science Daily: Magnesium Supplements May Help Lower High Blood Pressure
- Maturitas: Aged garlic extract lowers blood pressure in patients with treated but uncontrolled hypertension: a randomised controlled trial
- Nutra Ingredients: Green tea extract may lower blood pressure: study
- Nutra Ingredients: Whey proteins show blood pressure lowering powers
