The effect of green tea on blood pressure

Green tea lovers reach for it all over the world for many reasons. It's an exceptionally powerful antioxidant, helps slow down the ageing process, improves focus and speeds up the metabolism. Some teas, like matcha, can even replace coffee or an energy drink thanks to their energising effect. But does green tea really have a better effect on blood pressure than coffee? We're here to explain in the article below.

What people with high blood pressure should watch out for

Studies show that the people most at risk of developing high blood pressure are typically those who are overweight, obese, or following a diet that doesn't suit their needs. The main culprits when it comes to high blood pressure problems are empty carbohydrates and high-fat foods. These include white bread, pasta made from white flour, egg yolks, sweets, fatty meats, as well as coffee and full-fat animal milk. Tackling high blood pressure therefore starts with avoiding, or cutting out entirely, these kinds of foods. The next step is introducing foods that have a beneficial effect on blood pressure and overall wellbeing – green tea being a perfect example.

Green tea and blood pressure

People who need to keep an eye on their blood pressure often look for a drink to replace coffee, which is what draws many of them to tea – not only is it healthy, but it also provides an energy boost. According to numerous studies, which you can read about on our website, green tea is safe for people with cardiovascular conditions and high blood pressure. At the recommended daily amount (up to 5 grams), green tea doesn't raise blood pressure, which is why it's recommended even for older adults. Where does this effect come from? Green tea leaves contain very high amounts of L-theanine, an amino acid with relaxing, calming properties. L-theanine softens the effect of caffeine.

L-theanine also has a beneficial effect on the body's production of serotonin – the so-called "happiness hormone". Serotonin is responsible for regulating things like our mood, sleep patterns, and indeed our blood pressure. Maintaining the right level of serotonin in the body, which the L-theanine in green tea helps support, effectively helps prevent a rise in blood pressure.

So what does this mean for people with blood pressure concerns?

Studies clearly show that green tea is a beneficial health choice for anyone dealing with high blood pressure. The effect of green tea on blood pressure isn't limited to keeping it stable – it also has a wider significance for the health of the entire cardiovascular system. What's more, its benefits go beyond blood pressure alone, which makes an even stronger case for including it in your daily diet. Drinking green tea regularly brings a whole range of desirable effects, including antioxidant, slimming, metabolism-boosting, antiseptic and anti-ageing properties.

For anyone particularly keen to get the maximum benefit from green tea's health-boosting properties, we'd recommend matcha. Matcha is a powdered green tea, and its content of the L-theanine mentioned above, along with chlorophyll and a wide range of vitamins and minerals, can be up to ten times higher than in a standard tea infusion. This is because the leaves grown for matcha are cultivated using the traditional Japanese Oishitaen method – a growing technique that involves shading the tea bushes with traditional bamboo mats. This limited exposure to sunlight forces the tea bushes to increase their production of valuable chlorophyll, L-theanine and polyphenols.

You can read more about this on our website.