When blood pressure goes unchecked, it can lead to complications such as heart disease and stroke.
One of your first lines of defense against high blood pressure (hypertension) is your diet. Adopting a blood pressure-friendly diet may help keep your blood pressure within a healthy range without the side effects caused by medications.
In addition to certain foods that may help lower your blood pressure, some types of drinks may also be helpful.
In this article, we’ll take a deeper dive into 4 different types of drinks that may help lower your blood pressure.
1. Pomegranate juice
Not only are pomegranates rich in nutrients such as folate and vitamin C, they also boast potent anti-inflammatory effects. It may come as no surprise, then, that pomegranate juice can contribute to a heart-healthy diet.
A review of eight randomized, controlled trials found that consuming pomegranate juice may help lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
2. Tomato juice
Growing evidence suggests that drinking one glass of tomato juice per day may promote heart health. In a study, researchers evaluated the effects of drinking an average of one cup of tomato juice per day among participants with risk factors for heart disease.
To avoid unnecessary sodium, which can have the opposite effect on blood pressure, make sure to buy unsalted tomato juice.
3. Skim milk
Low-fat dairy products such as skim milk and yogurt are a key component of dietary Strategies to Stop Hypertension, a science-based set of recommendations for preventing and treating high blood pressure.
In a review involving 45,000 adults, researchers examined the intake of low- and high-fat dairy products and how each affected blood pressure. They concluded that the consumption of low-fat milk was associated with a lower risk of high blood pressure.
4. Tea
When it comes to blood pressure, not all teas are created equal. A randomized controlled trials compared the effects of black and green tea consumption on blood pressure.
The researchers reported that long-term intake of both types of tea lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. However, the reduction in blood pressure was more significant for green tea.