Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a common condition that impacts millions worldwide. It occurs when the pressure of blood against the walls of your arteries remains consistently high, forcing your heart to work harder to pump blood. If left untreated, hypertension can significantly increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health complications.
Understanding Blood Pressure
Blood pressure readings consist of two numbers:
- Systolic Pressure (SBP): The higher number, indicating the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. A normal range is 90-139 mm Hg.
- Diastolic Pressure (DBP): The lower number, representing the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats. A normal range is 60-89 mm Hg.
Blood pressure above 130/80 mm Hg is considered high and requires attention. If your reading exceeds 180/120 mm Hg, it’s a medical emergency, and immediate help is necessary.
Natural Ways to Manage Hypertension
While medication and lifestyle changes are common ways to manage high blood pressure, incorporating certain teas into your daily routine can be a simple and enjoyable addition to your health plan.
Matured Tea: A Natural Ally for Hypertension
Matured tea, such as Tuocha, has shown significant benefits in lowering blood pressure. A 2018 study involving nearly 100,000 participants found that drinking matured tea reduced the risk of hypertension by 26%. Additionally, regular consumption of matured tea led to noticeable reductions in both systolic and diastolic pressure.
So, why does matured tea work so well? Here are two key reasons:
During the fermentation process of Tuocha tea, catechins are transformed into various compounds, among which theabrownin is a key active component. This transformation imparts unique bioactive and antioxidant properties to Tuocha tea, contributing to various health benefits.
1) Improving Lipid Metabolism
- Theabrownin can reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides in the blood while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels.
- Improved lipid profiles help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, enhance vascular elasticity, and indirectly contribute to lowering blood pressure.
2) Inhibiting Lipid Peroxidation
- Theabrownin exhibits antioxidant properties, but unlike EGCG in green tea, which directly scavenges free radicals, theabrownin combines with free radicals through its phenolic hydroxyl groups. This reduces lipid oxidation chain reactions and oxidative stress, protecting vascular endothelial cells, maintaining normal vascular function, and preventing blood pressure elevation.
- Due to its large molecular structure, theabrownin’s antioxidant effects are relatively mild but more suitable for long-term regulation and prevention compared to EGCG.
3) Anti-Inflammatory Effects
- Theabrownin can inhibit the release of inflammatory factors, reducing inflammation in the vascular walls.
- Lower inflammation levels help decrease the risk of vascular hardening and narrowing, improve blood flow, and stabilize blood pressure.
4) Regulating Vascular Tone
- Unlike other types of tea, the blood pressure-lowering mechanism of Tuocha tea does not rely on vascular endothelium. Instead, theabrownin relaxes vascular smooth muscle and dilates blood vessels by blocking calcium ion channels and promoting nitric oxide (NO) production.
- Studies also show that maturued tea extracts (with 40% theabrownin content) reduce intracellular calcium ion concentrations to relax blood vessels, which may be one of the primary mechanisms of its antihypertensive effects.
- Theabrownin regulates calcium ion channels but does not directly affect the body’s absorption of dietary calcium.
How Much Tuocha Tea Should You Drink?
For optimal results, drink less than 8 grams of black tea per day. Consistency is key—enjoying tea 6-7 days a week over a long period (more than 15 years) has been shown to reduce systolic blood pressure by up to 5.76 mm Hg. As a bonus, studies reveal that consuming three cups of fermented tea daily can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and diabetes by 8.16% and 12.77%, respectively.
Why Choose Tuocha Tea?
Tuocha tea stands out due to its unique fermentation process and active components like theabrownins. These compounds relax blood vessels by reducing intracellular calcium levels. In addition to lowering blood pressure, Tuocha tea is known for improving lipid profiles and supporting metabolic health.
