Hypertension, a symptom-free malady, is responsible for many forms of heart disease, the devastating trauma of stroke, and countless deaths in this country. In an earlier and healthier time, hypertension was most common in the elderly. Now, even youngsters are diagnosed with this silent killer.
I stumbled upon a fascinating report on research regarding tea consumption and hypertension from 2004. The report is four years old, but the message bears repeating. (Click here to read about a study done in 2012 which corroborates the benefits.)
In a sample made up of overweight, alcohol-drinking cigarette smokers, it was found that drinking half a cup of oolong per day for one year led to a 46% decrease in risk for developing hypertension. Among those who drank two-and-a-half cups of oolong per day, the risk was reduced by 65%! Imagine the benefits for people without one – or any – of the risk factors shared by the 1500+ research subjects! Yet another reason to drink tea early and often.
This post was first published on the blog on March 17, 2008, titled “Half a cup of tea keeps the cuff off of me.”
There are so many wonderful benefits from drinking tea. It is curious to me personally about blood pressure however. I had a recent increase in my blood pressure yet my tea consumption remained the same. It was quite upsetting to me that I wasn’t getting the tea related benefits – although perhaps my blood pressure might have been worse without it. Fortunately it hasn’t made me question the over all health benefits of tea. The body is an amazing and mysterious system and anything we can do to support it, that has the potential to improve its over all functioning, is something we are wise to consider.
The study subjects were folks with hypertension-related lifestyle choices – alcohol and tobacco users. You take excellent care of yourself, Michelle. According to my primary care physician, the number one correlation with hypertension is heredity, so if one or more of your parents suffered, you should drink A LOT of tea! I know you are not crazy about oolong, but with its huge variety of tastes and preparation, I imagine you could find one of those almost green oolongs that you could tolerate.
My husband and I had our BP taken last month (hadn’t gone to a doctor in years) and his was 129/76, mine slightly lower. We both drink tea, several cups, daily, and we are Baby Boomers. His Mom has had high blood pressure for years, on medication for years. Soooooo…….
How I wish I could tell such a story! You are quite fortunate
Diane. My mom always had low blood pressure until she got into her 80’s. She’s now 95 and taking low dose meds to maintain stable blood pressure.
Michelle, do you suppose it’s stress? However, we’ve had so much stress too… The fact your Mom is 95 should encourage you about longevity in your family!
I would have to say yes to stress however I’m doing everything to counter act that. I walk daily and meditate and drink TEA. I am very encouraged by my mom’s longevity. We often joke with her that she needs to keep stretching the limits. I believe each successive generation can add another 10 years onto the prior one so that’s great for my family.
According to the Mayo Clinic, stress and hypertension do not have a long term relationship. Read this: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/stress-and-high-blood-pressure/art-20044190
Michele & Regena..that should comfort all of us (Regena’s link)!
Actually, in thinking it over, I’m not sure short-term stress is really totally valid because we all experience stress pretty consistenly. Maybe short-term crises ‘spikes’ but I would say stress is really a part of modern-day (and maybe ancient day as well) life. At least that applies to everyone I know today. Michele, your stress-relief and overall health regimen sounds smart. For me, prayer, reading Jesus’ teachings on stress and worry “you can’t change a hair on your head to make it white or black’ so why worry, and developing an attitude of ‘releasing’ is helpful.