Does drinking tea affect high blood pressure?
Dec 02, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Introduction
If the tea is strong, it may stimulate the cerebral cortex, increasing heart rate and subsequently causing blood pressure fluctuations; in such cases, drinking tea generally affects blood pressure. However, moderate consumption of tea with appropriate concentration—not overly strong—can help protect vascular endothelial cell function and promote blood vessel dilation, thereby assisting in lowering blood pressure to some extent, and usually does not significantly affect blood pressure.
Whether drinking tea affects hypertension depends on the concentration of the tea, and it may or may not have an impact.
1. Yes, it may affect
There are many types of tea, such as green tea, yellow tea, white tea, black tea, dark tea (e.g., Pu-erh), floral tea, and oolong tea. Regardless of the type, if hypertensive patients drink strongly brewed tea, excessive intake of tea polyphenols may stimulate the cerebral cortex, increase heart rate, and potentially lead to blood pressure fluctuations, causing discomfort such as dizziness and headaches. In such cases, drinking tea generally affects blood pressure.
2. No, it may not affect
Hypertensive patients who drink tea in moderation during daily life, using tea that is not overly concentrated, can maintain normal hydration levels. This may help protect vascular endothelial function and promote blood vessel dilation, thereby assisting in lowering blood pressure to some extent. It usually does not cause excessive nervous system stimulation or excitability, and thus generally has little effect on blood pressure.
