Hibiscus tea is rich in flavonoids, vitamin C and organic acids, which can offerseveral health benefits like managing blood pressure and promoting weight loss.
The tea is prepared with hibiscus flowers, which can be purchasedfresh or driedin supermarkets, health food stores or online stores.
To obtain the benefits of hibiscus tea, it should be consumed on a regular basis, with dosing monitored by a doctor or registered dietitian. It is also important to incorporate hibiscus teainto an active, healthy lifestyle.
This content is solely for informative purposes and should not replace a medical consultation. Do not interrupt your current treatment without seeking medical guidance.
Health benefits
The main benefits of hibiscus tea are:
1. Loweringblood pressure
Drinking hibiscus tea may help to prevent and manage mild to moderate high blood pressure.It can promote thedilation of blood vessels, which is believed to be the result ofthe anthocyanins in its composition. Anthocyaninscontainantioxidant properties and have a naturallydiuretic effect.
2. Promotingheart health
In addition to helping to reduce blood pressure, hibiscus tea could also help reduce "bad" cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides, in addition to promoting an increase in "good" cholesterol, HDL. This action may be due to the suppression of the synthesis of fatty acids in the liver, favoring the burning of fat in the body and the reduction of triglycerides at the intestinal level.
3. Regulatingblood sugar
Hibiscus tea could help to regulate blood sugar as it is capable of inhibiting the activity of pancreatic and intestinal enzymes that help withcarbohydrate digestionin the small intestine. Therefore, it can be consumed toprevent spikes in blood sugarand excessive insulin excretion.
4. Promoting weight loss
Hibiscus contains polyphenols (like anthocyanins),flavonoids and other phenolic compounds (like galloyl, chlorogenic acid, quercetin and caffeic acid). Consuming these on a regular basis could promote weight loss and prevent obesity. Learn more about how hibiscus tea works for weight loss and how to consume it.
It is thought that the weight loss than can occur is the result of aa combination of factors, like the regulationofblood sugar, reduced carb absorption in the gut, and better overall fat metabolism.Hibiscus tea may also even aid in appetite control, as some studies indicate that hibiscus can influence the action of ghrelin and leptin, which are hormone related to appetite control.
5. Maintainingliver health
Hibiscus tea could inhibit the production of fatty acids in the liver, which may improve liver function and promote the prevention of fatty liver and liver damage.
6. Exertingantioxidant action
Hibiscus tea hasantioxidant properties as it is naturally richin polyphenols (mainly anthocyanins). These caninhibit oxidative stress and prevent the formation of free radicals in the body which cause damage on a cellular level. Therefore, hibiscus tea can play a role in preventingpreventing premature aging,chronic diseases, and cancer.
7. Fighting bacteria
Some studies indicate that hibiscus contains antimicrobial properties that helpto inhibit the activity of bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
8. Preventing UTIs
Hibiscus tea contains antimicrobial properties that, according to some studies, arecapable ofcombating bacteria likeEscherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.These are the main microorganisms associated with the development of UTIs.
Furthermore, hibiscus tea containsdiuretic properties that increase the amount of urine that is produced. This can promotethe elimination of UTI-causingbacteria and prevent the emergence of recurrent infections. This attribute is thought to be related to the antioxidants that are naturally found in hibiscus flowers, which help to regulate aldosterone (a hormone that controls urine production).
How to make hibiscus tea
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of dried hibiscus flowers
- 400 mL (about 1.5 cups)of boiling water
Directions:
To prepare thistea, simply add the hibiscus flowers to boiling water and infuseforabout 5 minutes. Then strain and drink while warm at least 3 times a day. For weight loss, it is recommended to consume 1 cup of hibiscus tea after meals.
To improve blood pressure, a clinical study indicated that drinking tea prepared with 1 tablespoon of hibiscus (10 g) in 500 mL of boiling water daily, twice a day after a meal for 4 weeks could improve blood pressure. However, it is important to speak to a doctor before taking hibiscus tea for medicinal purposes.
Other ways to use
In addition to tea, to obtain the benefits ofhibiscus, you can also use its hibiscus flowers inrecipes for juices, jellies, sauces and mousses.
Contraindications for use
Hibiscus tea is considered to be safe and no majorside effects have been reported from using it. However, hibiscus tea should not be taken together with diuretics likehydrochlorothiazide, as it may interact with the medication and impact how it works.
Furthermore, you should speak to to a doctor before taking hibiscus tea for medical purposes, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a history of kidney or liver disease, as its safety has not been fully studied on these populations. The same applies for children under 12 years of age.
Patients who take medications forhypertension or diabetes should alsoconsult a doctor before starting to consume hibiscus tea to prevent any drops in blood sugar or blood pressure.
