Catechins are amazing! The mechanism by which green tea lowers blood pressure is backed up by surprising experimental results

Introduction

Green tea has long been popular as a healthy drink and is expected to have various effects that support the health of our bodies.

Of these, the most notable is its effect on high blood pressure.

In recent years, many research results have been reported showing that people who drink green tea habitually have a lower risk of high blood pressure. But why is green tea good for high blood pressure?

This time, we will explain in detail the effects of green tea on blood pressure and the mechanism behind it, based on scientific evidence.

How do the various components contained in green tea affect our blood vessels and stabilize blood pressure? Let's unravel the secrets and gain a deeper understanding of green tea.

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension is the persistent high pressure inside the blood vessels.

Prolonged high blood pressure can promote arteriosclerosis and lead to serious life-threatening diseases such as stroke (cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral infarction) and myocardial infarction.

High blood pressure is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140mmHg or higher or a diastolic blood pressure of 90mmHg or higher.

Causes of high blood pressure

There are various causes of high blood pressure, including a high-salt diet and genetics, but the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which involves the kidneys, plays a major role.

In our bodies, when a substance called renin is secreted from the kidneys, a series of chemical reactions occur.

First, renin acts on a protein called angiotensinogen, which is produced in the liver, converting it into a substance called angiotensin I.

Furthermore, this angiotensin I is converted into angiotensin II, which has a strong vasoconstricting effect, by an enzyme called ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) present in the lungs and other organs.

Angiotensin II constricts blood vessels, causing an increase in blood pressure. This series of events is called the renin-angiotensin system.

In other words, to suppress the rise in blood pressure, it is necessary to inhibit the activity of ACE and suppress the production of angiotensin II.

As research focused on the renin-angiotensin system progressed, it became clear that the catechins contained in green tea inhibit the functioning of this system.

Various foods have been studied for their ACE inhibitory effects, and it has been revealed that soybeans and fruits also have this effect.

The mechanism by which green tea lowers blood pressure

1. Inhibits the activity of the enzyme ACE, which increases blood pressure

It has been found that the catechins contained in green tea, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and methylated catechins, inhibit the activity of the enzyme ACE, which is involved in increasing blood pressure, thereby suppressing increases in blood pressure.

In particular, methylated catechins, which are found in large amounts in certain varieties such as Benifuuki and Benihomare, have been reported to have strong ACE inhibitory effects and are expected to help prevent high blood pressure.

2. Activates nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels

The catechin EGCG contained in green tea promotes the production of nitric oxide, a substance that dilates blood vessels.

It works by activating an enzyme called nitric oxide synthase in vascular endothelial cells, thereby increasing the production of nitric oxide, which in turn causes blood vessels to dilate and lowers blood pressure.

3. Ingredients other than catechin also help prevent blood pressure rise

Green tea contains a compound that acts on the neurotransmitter GABA, which has a relaxing effect.

GABA is also expected to have the effect of suppressing high blood pressure, and has already been commercialized as GABAron tea.

In addition, ingredients such as theanine, which has a relaxing effect, caffeine, which stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, and saponin are also said to dilate blood vessels through different mechanisms.

It is believed that the combined effects of these ingredients give green tea its blood pressure stabilizing effect.

The surprising power of catechin confirmed by experiments

Its effectiveness has been proven through experiments conducted by multiple research institutions.

In an experiment in which mice with genes predisposed to high blood pressure were given green tea catechins, surprising results were obtained.

Mice that consumed a diet containing catechins showed a significantly reduced increase in blood pressure compared to the control group.

On the other hand, the group fed the normal diet showed an early rise in blood pressure.

Furthermore, when the diets of the two groups were switched midway through the experimental period, the changes in blood pressure were also reversed, supporting the effect of tea catechins in suppressing increases in blood pressure.

These results suggest that tea catechins not only prevent the onset of hypertension, but also have the effect of lowering blood pressure in people who already have hypertension.

Furthermore, experiments using mice prone to strokes revealed that mice that consumed catechins had a longer period before they suffered a stroke.

These results indicate that green tea catechins may be useful in preventing lifestyle-related diseases such as high blood pressure and stroke.

In addition, a large-scale epidemiological study of more than 3,000 people found that people who drank five or more cups of green tea per day had roughly half the risk of death from stroke compared to those who drank four or fewer cups.

These series of experimental results suggest that there is a strong correlation between the intake of green tea catechins and lowering of blood pressure, and it is highly likely that catechins have the effect of suppressing elevation of blood pressure.

How to drink green tea effectively

EGCG, a type of catechin, has been attracting attention for its ability to dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure.

In addition, caffeine and theanine are also said to suppress increases in blood pressure, so by choosing regular sencha tea that has a good balance of these ingredients, you will be able to manage your blood pressure more effectively.

Brewing with hot water will reduce the amount of theanine, which has a relaxing effect, but will extract more EGCG and caffeine, which are expected to have a blood pressure lowering effect.

For this reason, we recommend making it a habit to drink a cup of regular sencha tea brewed with hot water of over 80°C after every meal.

Additionally, functional green teas that specialize in specific ingredients, such as Benifuuki, which is rich in methylated catechins, and Gabaron tea, which has been enhanced with GABA, are also an option.

Finally

As such, increasing research is showing that the catechins contained in green tea may play an important role in our health, especially in preventing high blood pressure.

In addition to catechins, it is becoming clear that green tea contains other ingredients that provide various health benefits.

It is expected that further research will shed more light on the health benefits of green tea.

If you are suffering from high blood pressure, we recommend consulting your doctor, reviewing your lifestyle habits, and incorporating green tea into a healthy lifestyle.

Drinking green tea is not just a luxury, it may be the first step to extending your health and life expectancy.