Three Drinks to Lower Blood Pressure

By Caroline H. Gottesman, "Three Cheers for Better Blood Pressure," May/June 2010

What you can add to your diet for lower blood pressure.

READER'S COMMENT:

"How much cranberry juice to drink a day? "

2. Hibiscus Tea

Drinking hibiscus tea can significantly lower blood pressure, particularly when it is slightly elevated, according to a 2010 study in the Journal of Nutrition. Diane L. McKay, Ph.D., lead author of the study, believes that anthocyanins and other antioxidants in hibiscus tea may work together to keep blood vessels resistant to damage that causes them to narrow. Many herbal tea blends contain hibiscus, which brews up bright red and delivers a tart flavor. McKay recommends finding one you like and drinking three cups daily. To get the full benefits of the hibiscus, steep for six minutes before drinking hot or cold.