Blood pressure is the force of your blood applied to the walls of your arteries as the heart pumps blood through your body. In the United States, about 1 out of 3 adults gets HBP, or high blood pressure, at some point in their life. HBP itself usually has no warning signs; however, it can put you at greater risk for health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, impaired blood vessels and kidney damage. You can control your HBP by adapting healthy lifestyle habits and taking medicines, if needed. Green tea is a natural cure for high blood pressure. If you want to use green tea, talk to your doctor first.
Plant Description
Green tea is a product of the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which is native to parts of Southeast Asia. This plant is usually trimmed below 6 feet when grown for its leaves. The young, light green leaves from Camellia sinensis are steamed to produce green tea. It has been consumed throughout the ages in China, India, Thailand and Japan in the prevention and treatment various chronic human illnesses, including high blood pressure or hypertension.
Green Tea Composition
Green tea contains flavonoids, volatile oils, alkaloids, caffeine, vitamins and minerals, but the primary constituents of interest are the polyphenols, especially the catechin called epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG. Each of these compounds may contribute to the healthy properties of consuming green tea.
Green Tea and Blood Pressure
Green tea polyphenols may significantly reduce high blood pressure by inhibiting ACE, or angiotensin-converting-enzyme, which is characterized by vasoconstrictive action. ACE is produced in the kidneys, which causes constriction of the blood vessels, causing the arteries to narrow and driving up blood pressure.
Precautions
Green tea produces no serious side effects, even in larger doses; nevertheless, you must consult with a medical practitioner if you want to use green tea. Women during their pregnancy and lactation must consume green tea only under the supervision of their physician because green tea can pass into breast milk and cause sleep disorders or insomnia in infants because of the caffeine. People with peptic ulcers must discontinue green tea and consult a doctor if they side effects, including experience severe heartburn, a reduction in appetite or diarrhea.
References
- Yale School of Medicine: High Blood Pressure (PDF)
- Boston University: What Is High Blood Pressure? (PDF)
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center: Green Tea (PDF)
- University of California: Agriculture and Natural Resources: Catechins (PDF)
- Fairfax Country Public Schools: Herbal Supplements (PDF)
- Colorado State University, Extension: Weight Loss Products and Programs; J. Anderson, et al.; December 2008
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