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What to Drink to Lower Blood Pressure Immediately? 8 Best Drinks for High Blood Pressure
written by Dr. Shivani Arora, MBBS
Dr. Shivani Arora, MBBS
Dr. Shivani Arora, General Physician with Over 10 Years of Experience Dr. Shivani Arora, an esteemed alumna of Dayanand Medical College, brings over 10 years of dedicated experience as a general physician. Currently Working at Pulselogy, Dr. Arora is well-versed in a wide range of medical fields, including obstetrics, gynecology, family medicine, and handling medical emergencies. She is also a specialist in managing diabetes and blood pressure. Her extensive background in renowned hospitals and clinics has equipped her with the expertise and compassion to provide exceptional care to her patients
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Finding it challenging to manage high blood pressure levels? Worry no more! Diet modifications are one of the easiest ways to manage high blood pressure.
While you know about BP-lowering foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, let’s find out about what to drink to lower blood pressure quickly. Read on to know more.
Table of Contents
What is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood flowing in your blood vessels against its walls. Your blood pressure can vary depending on two factors, the amount of blood pumped by your heart and the resistance offered by your blood vessels.
High blood pressure or hypertension is a condition where your blood pressure is constantly higher than normal (above 140/90 mm Hg). Hypertension can occur as a result of a combination of factors such as advancing age, genetics, being overweight, and health conditions such as heart or kidney disorders. It can also result from the use of certain medications such as birth control pills, decongestants, and over-the-counter pain relievers.
High blood pressure may go undetected as it usually does not exhibit symptoms until your blood pressure reaches very high levels.
Some common symptoms of high BP that you can look out for include:
Can Drinks Lower Your Blood Pressure?
If high blood pressure goes unchecked, it can lead to various complications such as heart diseases and stroke. The management of high blood pressure starts with making lifestyle changes which include opting for a healthy diet plan and staying physically active.
Just like how some foods help control your blood pressure, certain drinks are also found to be favourable for lowering your blood pressure levels. These drinks can lower your blood pressure levels and keep them in the healthy range, owing to the compounds present in the fruits or vegetables from which these drinks are prepared. The compounds act on blood pressure levels through various mechanisms.
In this article, let’s take a deep dive into 8 different types of drinks that can help lower your blood pressure.
BP Drinks: Know the Best Drinks to Lower Blood Pressure
Here are 8 drinks that will help you manage high blood pressure:
1. Pomegranate Juice
Pomegranates are a rich source of nutrients such as folate, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin B6, and potassium. They have high fibre content and are also rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that protect your body from the damage caused by harmful free radicals.
Pomegranate also helps lower the levels of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE), which plays a role in elevating your blood pressure through vasoconstriction (shrinking your blood vessels). These factors make pomegranate a heart-healthy fruit and its juice the perfect BP-lowering drink. You can have one to two glasses (up to around 300 ml) of pomegranate juice per day.
2. Beet Juice
Beets are packed with antioxidants that help fight cell damage and reduce the risk of heart diseases. They are also high in beneficial plant compounds that help reduce inflammation in the body.
Beetroot contains high levels of dietary nitrates (NO3), which are converted into active nitrite (NO2) and nitric oxide (NO) in the body. Nitric oxide plays a role in relaxing and dilating your blood vessels and thus brings down your blood pressure. You can have up to three glasses (approximately 400 ml) of beet juice per day.
3. Tomato Juice
Tomatoes are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. They also have a high potassium content, which helps negate the effects of excess sodium in your body. Sodium causes water retention that increases your blood volume and thus leads to an increase in blood pressure.
The diuretic properties in tomatoes help your body expel excess sodium in the body through urine. You can have one to two glasses of tomato juice per day.
4. Prune Juice
Eating prunes and drinking its juice has been shown to be beneficial for those with high blood pressure. Prunes are rich in potassium, which is helpful in controlling your blood pressure level. The more potassium you consume, the more your body will expel excessive sodium through urine. Potassium also helps ease the tension in the walls of your blood vessels, thus improving blood flow and lowering your blood pressure.
Prunes are also rich in antioxidants that minimise the effect of harmful free radicals in the body. Remember that prunes have a laxative effect, so introduce them slowly to your diet and watch your portion size. You can have up to two glasses of prune juice per day.
5. Berry Juice
Berries such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and cranberries are rich in polyphenols that are beneficial for lowering your blood pressure and in boosting heart health. Dietary polyphenols help enhance the level of plasma antioxidants that lower the effect of free radicals and reduce any damage due to oxidative stress.
Polyphenols also improve the endothelial synthesis of nitric oxide, which helps in relaxing your blood vessels and lowering your blood pressure. Therefore, consuming the juice of any of these berries regularly is effective in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. You can have one to two glasses of berry juice per day.
6. Lemon Water
Consuming lemon water regularly can help you tackle high blood pressure. Citrus fruits such as lemon are high in vitamin C that can act as a diuretic. It helps remove excess sodium from the body through urine, which helps relax your blood vessels and thus lowers your blood pressure.
Lemon also has flavonoids, which help reduce your blood pressure levels. You can have up to three glasses of lemon water in a day.
7. Low-Fat or Skimmed Milk
Drinking a glass of low-fat or skimmed (non-fat) milk is known to keep your blood pressure in control. Whole milk or full-fat milk is high in saturated fats, which can increase the risk of developing high cholesterol levels. High levels of cholesterol in the blood can cause blockages in the arteries and interrupt blood flow. This can lead to an increase in your blood pressure due to the resistance offered by the blood vessels.
Skimmed milk and low-fat milk have been processed to remove most of the saturated fat, which is bad for your heart. Thus, skimmed and low-fat milk provides heart-healthy nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, and potassium, which lower blood pressure levels and reduce the risk of heart diseases. You can have up to two glasses of low-fat or skimmed milk in a day.
8. Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea is made from the dried parts of the hibiscus plant and is deep red in colour. This herbal tea is rich in antioxidants that help prevent damage from harmful free radicals in the body. Hibiscus tea is rich in anthocyanins and polyphenols, which are good for your heart and help lower blood pressure levels.
Regular consumption of hibiscus tea relaxes your blood vessels and improves circulation. It can thus help lower your blood pressure levels. You can consume up to three glasses of hibiscus tea in a day.
What Drinks to Avoid with High Blood Pressure?
If you have high BP levels, it is advisable to avoid:
Other Tips to Lower Blood Pressure
Adopting these lifestyle strategies can help you lower high blood pressure. add link
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can I bring my blood pressure down immediately?
To bring down your blood pressure quickly, you can lie down and take deep breaths. This can lower your blood pressure temporarily. If your blood pressure has suddenly shot up causing symptoms such as shortness of breath or dizziness, make sure to get immediate medical attention.
Does lemon water bring your blood pressure down?
Yes! Citrus fruits such as lemon are high in vitamin C that can act as a diuretic. It helps remove excess sodium from the body through urine, which helps relax your blood vessels. Lemon also has flavonoids, which help lower your blood pressure levels. Thus, lemon water can help bring down your blood pressure.
Can drinking hot water lower blood pressure?
There is not enough evidence to suggest that drinking hot water can help lower your blood pressure levels.
Can deep breathing lower blood pressure?
Yes! Slow and deep breathing can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which decreases your heart rate and dilates the blood vessels, reducing your blood pressure. Deep breathing increases the oxygen supply in the body, thereby improving circulation and regulating your blood pressure levels. However, do not use deep breathing as a substitute for blood pressure medication.
Can green tea lower blood pressure?
Yes. Green tea is rich in polyphenolic compounds like flavonoids and catechins, which have antioxidant properties. One particular polyphenol, called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), has been shown to be associated with the relaxation of the smooth muscle that lines your blood vessels, leading to the dilation of your arteries. This eases the resistance to blood flow that is exerted by your arteries, resulting in lowered blood pressure levels.
Morning drink for high blood pressure
A great morning drink for high blood pressure is warm lemon water. Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, it helps improve blood circulation and supports heart health. Herbal teas like hibiscus or green tea are also effective in lowering blood pressure.
How much coconut water to drink to lower blood pressure
Drinking one to two cups of coconut water daily can help lower blood pressure. Rich in potassium, it helps regulate sodium levels in the body, promoting healthier blood pressure levels.
Best time to drink beetroot juice for high blood pressure
The best time to drink beetroot juice for high blood pressure is in the morning or before a meal. Beetroot juice is rich in nitrates that help relax blood vessels, improving circulation and reducing blood pressure.
Can drinking alcohol increase blood pressure?
Yes, drinking alcohol can increase blood pressure. Regular or excessive alcohol consumption raises blood pressure and may weaken the heart, leading to long-term cardiovascular problems.
Can you drink chamomile tea with high blood pressure?
Yes, chamomile tea can be safely consumed with high blood pressure. It is known for its calming properties and can help reduce stress, which indirectly helps in lowering blood pressure.
Is soft drinks good for high blood pressure?
No, soft drinks are not good for high blood pressure. They are often high in sugar and sodium, which can contribute to weight gain and elevated blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart disease.