Blood pressure is the force of your blood created by the pumping action of the heart and the resistance in the arteries. About one out of three American adults has HBP, or high blood pressure. It is commonly described as a "silent killer" because HBP itself shows no warning signs and damages your body's organs, including the heart, blood vessels and kidneys, if this pressure rises and stays high over time. So, it is important to check your blood pressure on a regular basis and control it, if it develops. Green tea is a natural high blood pressure remedy. It is important to check with your doctor if you consider taking green tea to address your high blood pressure problem.
Plant Description
Green tea is produced from the Camellia sinensis plant, a large hardy shrub with evergreen leaves that belongs to the plant family Theaceae. It is extensively cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia, including India, China, Thailand and Japan. Green tea can be prepared as a beverage, which can be used for medicinal purposes.
Green Tea Composition
Scientists are primarily interested in green tea polyphenols, chemicals with antioxidant properties, in the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases, including high blood pressure or hypertension. Epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, is the most robust polyphenol compound found in green tea. Green tea also contains several others biologically active constituents, such as volatile oils, alkaloids, caffeine, vitamins and minerals.
Green Tea and High Blood Pressure
Green tea is considered a natural cure for high blood pressure. It is thought to work by repressing ACE, or angiotensin-converting enzyme, which is secreted by the kidneys. ACE causes constriction of the smooth muscles and arteries, which interferes with the arterial elasticity; as a result, the blood pressure is increased significantly.
Precautions
Green tea is safe for most people when used in moderate amounts. However, it may produce some side effects, like everything else. Green tea contains caffeine, so drinking too much green tea can cause sleep deprivation, insomnia and anxiety. Pregnant and lactating women must avoid green tea because it can interfere with iron metabolism and cause anemia in nursing infants. Green tea encourages the production of gastric acid, so people with stomach ulcers must not consume green tea in large amounts to avoid abdominal problems, such as heartburn, diarrhea and a reduction in appetite.
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, L. Young and J Roach; December 2008 (PDF)
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