There are a lot of people out there who believe that Hibiscus tea is the way to go for weight loss. Not only does it burn fat but it also has long been known to lower blood pressure and improve circulation. Hibiscus tea is an alkalizing herb that can aid weight loss because it prevents the body from storing fat. It’s also been used to treat symptoms of inflammation, stomach ulcers and even other diseases. As natural ingredients go, hibiscus flowers are delicious and easy to use — just brew some plain black tea or eat the leaves.
Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea, also called Sorrell tea or “sour tea” is a fragrant tea made from the dried calyxes of the tropical Hibiscus sabdariffa flowers. Hibiscus sabdariffa flowers are native to Africa and grow in many tropical and subtropical regions around the world — including Thailand, China, and Mexico.These flowers are one of many species of shrubs, trees, and flowers in the mallow (Malvaceae) family.
Hibiscus tea has a fruity, refreshing flavor that many enjoy hot or iced. Many people drink it because of its potential health benefits. While research shows that there may be some truth to these claims, there may also be potential risks. More research is required.
Nutrition Information
One small iced hibiscus breeze tea cooler contains:
- Calories: 79
- Protein: 0 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 20 grams
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Sugar: 20 grams
Hibiscus tea contains vitamin C — a nutrient that plays many essential roles in the body. These include:
- Tissue growth and repair
- The maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth
- Wound healing
- The formation of collagen
- Iron absorption
Vitamin C — aka ascorbic acid — is also an antioxidant. It can help boost your immune system and may help to prevent cell damage caused by free radicals in the body. This can reduce your risk of developing many significant health complications such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Hibiscus tea contains other antioxidants, such as anthocyanins. Anthocyanins give the plant its vibrant color. They may also prevent many chronic diseases, as well as provide antibacterial effects.
Benefits of Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea is an herbal tea that’s made by steeping parts of the hibiscus plant in boiling water.
It has a tart flavor similar to that of cranberries and can be enjoyed both hot and cold.
There are several hundred species of hibiscus varying by the location and climate they grow in, but Hibiscus sabdariffa is most commonly used to make hibiscus tea.
Research has uncovered a range of health benefits linked to drinking hibiscus tea, showing that it may lower blood pressure, fight bacteria and even aid weight loss.
1. Packed With Antioxidants
Antioxidants are molecules that help fight compounds called free radicals, which cause damage to your cells.
Hibiscus tea is rich in powerful antioxidants and may therefore help prevent damage and disease caused by the buildup of free radicals.
In one study in rats, hibiscus extract increased the number of antioxidant enzymes and reduced the harmful effects of free radicals by up to 92%
Another rat study had similar findings, showing that parts of the hibiscus plant, such as the leaves, possess potent antioxidant properties
However, keep in mind that these were animal studies that used concentrated doses of hibiscus extract. More studies are needed to determine how antioxidants in hibiscus tea may affect humans.
SUMMARYAnimal studies have found that hibiscus extract has antioxidant properties. Additional studies are needed to determine how this may translate to humans.
2. May Help Lower Blood Pressure
One of the most impressive and well-known benefits of hibiscus tea is that it may lower blood pressure.
Over time, high blood pressure can place extra strain on the heart and cause it to weaken. High blood pressure is also associated with an increased risk of heart disease
Several studies have found that hibiscus tea may lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
In one study, 65 people with high blood pressure were given hibiscus tea or a placebo. After six weeks, those who drank hibiscus tea had a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure, compared to the placebo
Similarly, a 2015 review of five studies found that hibiscus tea decreased both systolic and diastolic blood pressure by an average of 7.58 mmHg and 3.53 mmHg, respectively
While hibiscus tea may be a safe and natural way to help lower blood pressure, it is not recommended for those taking hydrochlorothiazide, a type of diuretic used to treat high blood pressure, as it may interact with the drug
SUMMARYSome studies have found that hibiscus tea may lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. However, it should not be taken with hydrochlorothiazide to prevent an interaction.
3. May Help Lower Blood Fat Levels
In addition to lowering blood pressure, some studies have found that hibiscus tea may help lower blood fat levels, which are another risk factor for heart disease.
In one study, 60 people with diabetes were given either hibiscus tea or black tea. After one month, those who drank hibiscus tea experienced increased “good” HDL cholesterol and decreased total cholesterol, “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides
Another study in those with metabolic syndrome showed that taking 100 mg of hibiscus extract daily was associated with decreased total cholesterol and increased “good” HDL cholesterol
However, other studies have produced conflicting results regarding hibiscus tea’s effects on blood cholesterol.
In fact, a review of six studies including 474 participants concluded that hibiscus tea did not significantly reduce blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels
Furthermore, most studies showing a benefit of hibiscus tea on blood fat levels have been limited to patients with specific conditions like metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
More large-scale studies examining the effects of hibiscus tea on blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels are needed to determine its potential effects on the general population.
SUMMARYSome studies have shown that hibiscus tea may reduce blood cholesterol and triglycerides in those with diabetes and metabolic syndrome. However, other studies have produced conflicting results. More research is needed in the general population.
4. May Boost Liver Health
From producing proteins to secreting bile to breaking down fat, your liver is essential to your overall health.
Interestingly, studies have shown that hibiscus may promote liver health and help keep it working efficiently.
One study in 19 overweight people found that taking hibiscus extract for 12 weeks improved liver steatosis. This condition is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver, which can lead to liver failure
A study in hamsters also demonstrated the liver-protecting properties of hibiscus extract, showing that treatment with hibiscus extract decreased markers of liver damage
Another animal study reported that giving rats hibiscus extract increased the concentration of several drug-detoxifying enzymes in the liver by up to 65%
However, these studies all assessed the effects of hibiscus extract, rather than hibiscus tea. Further research is needed to know how hibiscus tea affects liver health in humans.
SUMMARYHuman and animal studies have found that hibiscus extract may benefit liver health by increasing drug-detoxifying enzymes and reducing liver damage and fatty liver.
5. Could Promote Weight Loss
Several studies suggest that hibiscus tea may be associated with weight loss and protect against obesity.
One study gave 36 overweight participants either hibiscus extract or a placebo. After 12 weeks, hibiscus extract reduced body weight, body fat, body mass index and hip-to-waist ratio
An animal study had similar findings, reporting that giving obese mice hibiscus extract for 60 days led to a reduction in body weight
Current research is limited to studies using concentrated doses of hibiscus extract. More studies are needed to determine how hibiscus tea may influence weight loss in humans.
SUMMARYA few human and animal studies have associated the consumption of hibiscus extract with decreased body weight and body fat, but more research is needed.
6. Contains Compounds That May Help Prevent Cancer
Hibiscus is high in polyphenols, which are compounds that have been shown to possess powerful anti-cancer properties
Test-tube studies have found impressive results regarding the potential effect of hibiscus extract on cancer cells.
In one test-tube study, hibiscus extract impaired cell growth and reduced the invasiveness of mouth and plasma cell cancers
Another test-tube study reported that hibiscus leaf extract prevented human prostate cancer cells from spreading
Hibiscus extract has also been shown to inhibit stomach cancer cells by up to 52% in other test-tube studies
Keep in mind that these were test-tube studies using high amounts of hibiscus extract. Research in humans is needed to evaluate the effect of hibiscus tea on cancer.
SUMMARYTest-tube studies have found that hibiscus extract reduces the growth and spread of plasma, mouth, prostate and stomach cancer cells. Human studies are needed to evaluate the effect of hibiscus tea.
Potential Risks of Hibiscus Tea
While hibiscus tea may provide health benefits, it may also present some risks. These risks include:
Hibiscus and Mallow Allergies
If you’re allergic or sensitive to hibiscus flowers (or other plants in the mallow family), you should avoid drinking hibiscus tea.
Medication Interactions
Hibiscus tea may interact with certain medications. It can decrease the effectiveness of the malaria drug chloroquine. If you take medications for high blood pressure or diabetes, it can cause a significant drop in blood pressure. The plant also contains phytoestrogens (or plant estrogens) that may decrease the effectiveness of birth control medication.
Pregnancy Concerns
The phytoestrogens in hibiscus tea may cause complications during pregnancy. For instance, they may trigger preterm labor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you may want to avoid hibiscus tea or look for an alternative.
Liver Damage
Some research points toward high concentrations of hibiscus extract — potentially causing liver damage.
Most of the current research on hibiscus tea is limited to animal and test-tube studies. More research is needed to fully understand the true benefits and risks the tea has to offer.
How to make hibiscus tea
To make hibiscus tea and maintain the flower’s properties, the water must be brought to a boil and then removed from heat. Add the hibiscus flowers to the water, cover the pot, and let the flowers soak for 10 minutes before straining and drinking.
The correct proportion of hibiscus and water is:
- 2 tablespoons of dry hibiscus or 2 hibiscus tea bags;
- 1 liter of water just beginning to boil
You should drink 3 to 4 cups of this tea daily, half an hour before your main meals. The tea should be taken without sugar to achieve the expected effect, however optimal weight loss results will be noted when combined with a balanced diet and physical exercise.
How to use hibiscus in juice recipes
In addition to hot tea and iced tea, hibiscus can also be added to fruit or vegetable juices. To prepare the juices, instead of water, use iced hibiscus tea and mix with fruits or vegetables in the blender. Fruits that combine well with the hibiscus flavor are passion fruit, pineapple and strawberries.
When not to drink hibiscus tea
Hibiscus tea is contraindicated for women who are pregnant, for women during PMS, (as it can worsen their symptoms), and people with low blood pressure. Hibiscus tea may cause hormonal changes and reduce fertility, so it is contraindicated for women trying to conceive.
Excessive consumption of hibiscus tea can also lead to an overdose, changes in blood pressure and muscle weakness, so the maximum daily dose should be 2 to 3 grams or about 6 cups of tea.
How to lose weight fast
Hibiscus is a good way to try to speed up the weight loss process, but you should also eat foods rich in nutrients and avoid everything that contains sugars and fat as much as possible. Ginger tea can also be a good option for weight loss, however be sure to check out other natural teas you can try.