Some drinks that may help lower blood pressure in the morning include beetroot juice, tomato juice, and certain types of tea.
Blood pressure is the force a person’s blood exerts on the walls of the arteries as it is pumped by the heart. The arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from the heart around the body.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can increase a person’s chances of developing certain health conditions, such as heart disease and stroke.
There are various lifestyle changes a person with the condition can make to reduce their blood pressure. This may include changes to their diet and the beverages they drink in the morning.
Read on to learn more about what high blood pressure is and drinks that may benefit a person living with the condition, as well as other ways to manage high blood pressure and when to see a doctor.
What is high blood pressure?
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Doctors measure a person’s blood pressure in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) using two different numbers:
Systolic blood pressure: This measures the pressure in a person’s arteries when their heart beats.
Diastolic blood pressure: This measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats.
A person may have high blood pressure if these numbers are 130/80 mm Hg or more, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). The first number refers to systolic blood pressure, and the second number refers to diastolic blood pressure.
People can speak with a healthcare professional if they have a high blood pressure reading.
Drinks for people with high blood pressure
This section discusses four beverages that people with high blood pressure may wish to try drinking in the morning.
Beetroot juice
Beetroot juice naturally contains a high levele of chemical compounds called nitrates, which have certain properties that help reduce blood pressure levels.
A review from 2018 found evidence to suggest that beetroot juice can help reduce blood pressure. The authors of the review cited another study that suggested that a daily intake of around 500 milliliters (mL) of beetroot juice per day may have a more significant effect on blood pressure reduction than lower volumes.
Pomegranate juice
A review from 2017 found that pomegranate juice could reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in eight randomized trials.
The authors found reductions in systolic blood pressure regardless of how much pomegranate participants drank or for how long. Intake of more than 240 mL had a borderline significant effect on a person’s diastolic blood pressure.
A person with hypertension may choose pomegranate juice without added sugar. The AHA notes that people with the condition may wish to limit their intake of sugar-sweetened beverages.
Tomato juice
A Japanese study from 2019 looked into the effects of unsalted tomato juice on a person’s blood pressure. The participants drank unsalted tomato juice at an average dose of 215 mL every day for a year.
Researchers found that, after a year, participants with untreated prehypertension or hypertension had reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
A person who has hypertension may avoid salted tomato juice. The AHA recommends that people with hypertension limit their salt intake.
Tea
A review from 2020 studied the effects of regular consumption of black and green tea on a person’s blood pressure. The researchers noted that both green and black teas could reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure. However, green tea provided a greater reduction in blood pressure levels.
Another study from 2019 looked into the effect hibiscus tea had on people who had stage 1 hypertension. The authors found that drinking two cups of hibiscus tea per day, alongside dietary and lifestyle changes, significantly reduced a person’s blood pressure.
Managing high blood pressure
There are various ways a person with hypertension can help manage their high blood pressure.
If a person who has hypertension would like to try different drinks in the morning, the AHA suggests they may avoid or limit beverages that have added salt or sugar.
A person who has hypertension may want to limit the amount of coffee they have. The AHA states that people with severe hypertension who drink more than 2 cups of coffee per day may double their risk of dying from:
stroke
heart attack
other cardiovascular diseases
Other ways a person with hypertension can help manage their blood pressure include:
eating a balanced diet that is low in salt
limiting alcohol
exercising regularly
managing stress
maintaining a healthy weight
quitting smoking
taking any medications according to a doctor’s guidance
When to see a doctor
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hypertension does not usually cause any symptoms.
If a person who has hypertension experiences certain symptoms, they may be having a hypertensive crisis. This is a medical emergency, and a person should seek immediate medical attention if they experience any symptoms.
Symptoms of a hypertensive crisis include:
blood pressure of 180/120 mm Hg or more that does not lower after a person rests for 5 minutes
chest pain
shortness of breath
back pain
weakness
numbness
change in vision
difficulty speaking
A person may record a blood pressure of 180/120 mm Hg or more that does not lower after they rest for 5 minutes but do not experience any symptoms. In this case, they may speak with their doctor about reviewing their medication or other treatments.
Summary
There are a range of drinks that may help lower a person’s blood pressure in the morning.
If a person with hypertension usually drinks coffee or sugary juice in the morning, it may be beneficial for them to swap it for beetroot juice, unsalted tomato juice, green tea, or unsweetened pomegranate juice.
There are many ways a person who has hypertension can help manage their condition, including eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.
If a person experiences symptoms of a hypertensive crisis, they should call 911 immediately.
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