Effects of Green Tea Ingestion on Postprandial Drops in Blood Pressure in Older Adults

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine whether drinking green tea can prevent postprandial drops in blood pressure in older adults. Participants included 29 older adults who had experienced postprandial drops in systolic blood pressure of more than 15 mmHg in a previous study. During the experimental phase, each participant drank 400 mL of green tea before lunch; during the control phase, participants ate lunch without any tea. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured during both phases before lunch and at 15-minute intervals for 90 minutes after lunch. Drinking green tea before lunch elicited significant pressor effects by increasing systolic and diastolic blood pressure an average of 15.1 mmHg and 5.7 mmHg, respectively. It had no significant effect on heart rate. Drinking green tea before meals is recommended for older adults who experience postprandial hypotension; however, the appropriate volume and time of green tea ingestion to prevent a postprandial drop in blood pressure should be further studied.