Hibiscus Tea aside from tasting good has many health benefits that includes stabilizing blood pressure, reducing harmful cholesterol levels, supporting the liver, preventing tumor, preventing inflammation, curing menstrual pains, reducing depressive symptoms and improving digestion. Other benefits includes quenching thirst, and aiding with weight loss.
The hibiscus is a flowering plant that belongs to the family Malvaceae. Conditions for its ideal growth are similar to that of tropical areas, so it grows in warm temperatures. The hibiscus plant has various sub-types of flowers that include hibiscus hirtis, pink hibiscus, and hibiscus amottianus. It has been used by ancient civilizations in different cultures as a therapeutic remedy.
What is Hibiscus Tea?
The flowers from the hibiscus plant are used in the making of this herbal tea. The dried, crimson-colored calyces are used to prepare the infusion which tastes a little sour. It is consumed in many cultures as hot or cold.
The drink is very popular among tea lovers for its unique flavor and commonly used by health junkies for its immense benefits as well. It contains a variety of different nutrients, the highest in percentage being Iron and vitamin C.
Nutritional Value
| Nutrient | Amount per 8 fl oz | Percent Daily Values |
| Calories | 88 | N/a |
| Total Fat | 1.5 g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 18 g | 6% |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.7 g | 2% |
| Protein | 1.0 g | 2% |
| Sugar | 14 g | N/a |
| Iron | 20.5 mg | 113% |
| Vitamin A | 702 IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 43.6 mg | 72% |
11 Amazing Benefits of Hibiscus Tea
1. Stabilizes Blood Pressure
Research conducted by the American Heart Association proved the beneficial effect of hibiscus tea on blood pressure in a 2008 report. It stated that consuming hibiscus tea can help in reducing blood pressure levels in adults at risk of hypertension.
The reason behind this miraculous effect is that hibiscus tea contains anti-inflammatory properties which allow it to reduce blood pressure levels by around 10 points. The change doesn’t come easily as a commitment to drinking it regularly is required before any change can be observed.
2. Reduces Harmful Cholesterol Levels
Consuming hibiscus tea is useful in reducing the levels of low-density lipoprotein in the body which is commonly referred to as bad cholesterol. This protects the body against the risk of cardiovascular diseases and the blood vessels from damage.
People that have diabetes can benefit from certain properties of hibiscus tea such as those which are hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic. Diabetes is a common blood sugar disorder, and research has found that the unpredictable disease can be managed by drink hibiscus tea regularly.
3. Healthy Liver
Research on the effects of hibiscus tea on the body shows that the antioxidants it contains can be beneficial in treating liver diseases. Antioxidants are crucial for the body’s proper aging since harmful roaming radicals wreak havoc in the body which causes the aging process to speed up. By neutralizing the free radicals, antioxidants protect the body which would otherwise be susceptible to disease. It’s safe to say that drinking hibiscus tea regularly can lead to longevity and vitality.
4. Anti-Tumor Property
One of the components of hibiscus tea is hibiscus protocatechuic acid which has been found to have anti-tumor properties. Studies conducted to research this property proved that it has the potential to inhibit the growth of cancerous cells in the body by inducing the process of apoptosis which is commonly termed as programmed cell death.
5. Antibacterial Properties
Hibiscus tea is enriched with vitamin C which is imperative to the body’s functioning and maintaining of a healthy immune system. Other features of hibiscus tea include its anti-inflammatory properties which enable it to bring comfort to a patient suffering from a fever. Moreover, it also acts as an antibacterial agent which helps in preventing the body from catching a cold.
6. Cure For Menstrual Pain
Hibiscus tea is also beneficial for the female reproductive system because of its ability to provide relief from physical symptoms of menstrual like cramps which are notorious for being painful. It also acts as an agent to restore a hormonal balance within the body which helps it reduce other mental symptoms such as mood swings and depressive episodes.
7. Reduce Depressive Symptoms
The flavonoids contained by hibiscus tea are what allow it to act as a natural antidepressant. This means that it can be used by patients suffering from mood disorders to help and reduce their feelings of helplessness. Drinking hibiscus tea can result in calming the nervous system which reduces anxiety as well. The best part is that it does this without causing any harmful side effects such as those of medication.
8. Improve Digestion
You’ll find that many health junkies drink hibiscus tea to improve the digestive process of their bodies. This is because of its ability to regularize bowel movements and excretion of toxins through urination. Its diuretic properties are what allow it to treat constipation. This, in turn, can help you shed pounds and boost the health of your gastrointestinal system so that your body is protected from colorectal cancer.
9. Quenches Thirst
Many sports enthusiasts consume hibiscus tea as a sports drink to hydrate themselves after intensive training. This is the main reason why hibiscus tea is consumed as a cold beverage. Another reason to add it to your post-workout routine is that it helps in cooling down the body quickly.
10. Weight Loss
Studies that were conducted to research the effect of hibiscus tea on the body found that it can lower the absorption of starch which is then converted into glucose. This has the benefit of helping the body lose weight quickly. It does so by inhibiting the production of amylase which causes the excess starch to be absorbed and stored in the form of fat. So, by stopping the storage of excess glucose in the first place, hibiscus tea effectively helps you lose weight which can otherwise lead to obesity and cardiovascular disease. This explains why hibiscus extract is often featured as an ingredient in weight loss products.
11. Good For All Seasons And Great Taste
It’s one of the few rare teas that can be consumed as both a hot or cold beverage depending on your personal preference and time of year. You can enjoy it no matter what time of year it is and its amazing taste will help you stay consistent in drinking it regularly. It has a flavor which is similar to cranberry and if that’s too sour for you can simply add some honey to sweeten it.
Conclusion
All in all, hibiscus tea is a guaranteed all-rounder which is highly beneficial for both physical and mental health. That’s because it protects the body against cardiovascular disease and obesity while keeping the mind safe against the symptoms of mood swings and depressive episodes. It’sly the one tea that everyone should have at home.
