High blood pressure is considered to be a reading of 140/90mmHg or higher. The lower number is the diastolic pressure – the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels – and the higher number is the systolic pressure – the force at which your heart pumps blood around your body. If high blood pressure is left untreated, the arteries can harden and thicken, leading to heart attack, stroke, or other complications. But one way high blood pressure can be prevented or reduced is by eating a healthy diet.
Experts recommend cutting down on the amount of salt in food and eating plenty of fruit and vegetables.
Certain food and drink alone have also been found to hold blood pressure lowering qualities – one being hibiscus tea.
Several studies have demonstrated that hibiscus tea may lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
In one study, 65 people with high blood pressure were given hibiscus tea or a placebo.
After six weeks, those who drank hibiscus tea had a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure, compared to the placebo.
A 2015 review of five studies also found hibiscus tea decreased both systolic and diastolic blood pressure by an average of 7.58mmHg and 3.53mmHg.
While hibiscus tea is considered a safe and natural way to lower blood pressure, it’s important to note some studies have shown it may interact with hydrochlorothiazide – a diuretic medication often used to treat high blood pressure.
Another drink which has been found to have blood pressure lowering traits is beetroot juice.
In a 2015 study, researchers found drinking red beet juice led to lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure, after they drank around one cup of the juice every day for four weeks.
Positive effects were also noted within 24 hours of having the juice.
Participants who drank one cup of the beet juice every day had an average drop in blood pressure of around 8/4 millimetres of mercury (mmHg).
For many, this change brought their blood pressure within the normal range.
