Hibiscus tea is a colourful and sweet-tasting drink. However, this perfectly Instagramable beverage is more than just a flavourful drink that’s nice to look at; it has multiple health benefits.
Hibiscus tea is a herbal tea made as an infusion from crimson or deep magenta-coloured calyces of the roselle flower. It can be consumed both hot and cold and has been described as having a distinct cranberry-like flavour. This fashionable herbal tea is quickly increasing in popularity due to its delicious flavour and its incredible health benefits.
In this blog, we’ll detail some of the many benefits that hibiscus tea brings to the table.
A Brief History
Hibiscus tea is not a new phenomenon. People have been exploring the benefits of this herbal tea for centuries. Hibiscus seeds, flowers, leaves, and stems have been used in food and traditional medicine for many years.
Hibiscus is especially popular in Western Africa and Central and South America, where it’s used to treat everything from high blood pressure to indigestion.
In the present day, you can find a variety of hibiscus-flavoured jams, jellies, syrups, and teas all over the world. Furthermore, many modern science practices support the notion that this tried and tested remedy offers some unique and notable benefits. However, it’s worth noting that some experts have advised caution, as more research is needed to decipher exactly how effective the tea is at treating certain ailments and alleviating unwanted symptoms.
Health Benefits of Hibiscus Tea
Here are some of the most notable and most commonly-accepted hibiscus tea health benefits:
Lowering Blood Pressure
In the UK, it’s estimated that around 16 million (or 1 in 3) adults have high blood pressure. Having high blood pressure can lead to health problems such as heart disease, strokes, and kidney disease. As such, many of us are looking for ways to help lower our blood pressure, and hibiscus tea may be able to help in this regard.
A 2020 review of seven previous trials found that hibiscus tea significantly reduced blood pressure. This included both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The success was attributed to its diuretic properties and ability to relax blood vessels, improving blood circulation.
Aids in Weight Management
Hibiscus tea has been found to reduce the absorption of carbohydrates and fats, leading to a lower body weight and body fat percentage.
A 2023 review and meta-analysis suggests that hibiscus extracts (along with other plants) may help to induce weight loss in both people with no health conditions and people with obesity. The researchers also suggest that the hibiscus extracts could be a useful tool in helping to treat metabolic syndrome: a group of conditions that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, and coronary heart disease.
Protection with Antioxidants
The Hibiscus plant is rich in antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin C and anthocyanin. Being antioxidant-rich means that the tea can help across the board when it comes to a variety of different health conditions.
Antioxidants neutralise harmful molecules (called “free radicalsâ€) in your body. Free radicals can harm cells and contribute to the onset of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. While your body has its own defence system of antioxidants to fight free radical damage, consuming food and drinks that are high in antioxidants may also play a role in disease prevention.
Reduces Bad Cholesterol
Having high levels of bad cholesterol is another health problem that affects millions of people. Having high cholesterol can lead to diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. However, hibiscus tea can help to lower cholesterol.
A review of 39 previous studies found that H. rosasinesis, a type of hibiscus commonly found in commercial hibiscus tea products, may help to control cholesterol levels. The authors also concluded that the concentration of hibiscus, even in homemade tea, is theoretically enough to have anti-cholesterol effects. Additionally, the review found that hibiscus tea could reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL), commonly known as “bad cholesterolâ€.
Reducing Blood Sugar
Hibiscus tea not only helps to reduce LDL cholesterol levels, but also significantly lowers fasting blood glucose levels. Fasting blood glucose is the measurement of sugar in the blood after a period of fasting overnight, which doctors use to detect potential signs of diabetes.
Additionally, research has shown that H. rosasinensis may have anti-diabetic properties, potentially aiding in the management of diabetes symptoms.
Boost Liver Health
Your liver has many functions, such as secreting bile, breaking down fat, and producing proteins. Keeping your liver in check is therefore essential to your overall health. Luckily, studies have shown that hibiscus may promote liver health and help to keep it working efficiently.
A small study conducted in 2014 found that taking hibiscus sabdariffa extract for 12 weeks improved liver steatosis. This condition is characterised by the accumulation of fat in the liver, which can eventually lead to liver failure. However, it’s worth noting that pretty much all of the studies conducted on the effectiveness of hibiscus treatment on the liver used hibiscus extract instead of hibiscus tea itself.
Skin Benefits
Pretty much everyone is trying to discover how to make our skin appear more vibrant and youthful. Well, not only has it been claimed that hibiscus helps with age spots, but it could also encourage an all-round fresher, younger, and smoother-looking complexion. The natural acids found in hibiscus may help to purify skin by breaking down dead skin and increasing cell turnover rate. They may also help control acne breakouts.
The benefits of hibiscus tea for your skin may also include anti-aging and wound-healing properties. Hibiscus tea contains anthocyanin: an antioxidant that can help to reduce oxidative stress and which may slow down signs of aging. Hibiscus may also help wounds to heal faster by increasing the production of fibronectin, a protein that helps to promote hydration, elasticity, and regeneration in the skin.
Hibiscus tea is rich in vitamin C, which can support collagen production in the body. It also contains myricetin, an antioxidant that could help to prevent collagen breakdown by inhibiting collagenase, the enzyme that’s responsible for breaking down collagen. Just in case it isn’t already evident, hibiscus tea may be able to benefit the skin in multiple ways!
Hair Benefits
Losing hair, or being unable to grow hair, can lead to body image problems and general self-esteem issues. If you find that you have problems when it comes to hair growth and retention and it’s starting to affect you, then it may be time to reach for a hibiscus extract hair treatment.
Hibiscus benefits hair because it can stimulate hair growth when applied directly. Hibiscus contains amino acids that help to stimulate blood circulation in the scalp, which may encourage hair growth. It may also help to prevent hair loss by strengthening the hair shaft and preventing breakage.
So, if you’re looking for a tasty, sweet, and tangy drink that can also help you to live a healthier lifestyle, why don’t you consider hibiscus tea?
Keep Healthy with YorkTest At YorkTest, we take great pride in helping you to work towards the healthiest and best life possible. We frequently cover topics regarding health and offer advice on how to live your life by looking after your health and well-being. We also offer a variety of home health test kits that can assist you in identifying if you may have some of the problems that we’ve mentioned in this article, including Liver Function Tests and Cholesterol Tests. For more information, be sure to contact us today
