Table of contents:
- What are the benefits of hibiscus tea?
- 1. Lowering blood pressure
- 2. Lower cholesterol levels
- 4. Helps you lose weight
- 5. Overcoming inflammation
- 6. Improve liver health
- Make hibiscus tea at home
Have you ever tried drinking hibiscus tea? It is an herbal tea made from dried hibiscus flower, which is dark red in color. Hibiscus tea has a sweet and sour taste that can be drunk hot or cold. This herbal tea drink can provide benefits for your health. A study found various benefits of hibiscus tea, including controlling blood pressure and helping you lose weight.
What are the benefits of hibiscus tea?
1. Lowering blood pressure
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that drinking hibiscus tea can lower blood pressure.
This study was conducted on 65 people with hypertension. Participants were divided into two, some were given hibiscus tea and some were not. After 6 weeks, participants who drank hibiscus tea experienced a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure than those who did not drink.
A review of 5 other studies found that hibiscus tea was able to lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively, by an average of 7.58 mmHG and 3.53 mmHG.
2. Lower cholesterol levels
The benefits of hibiscus tea in lowering cholesterol levels are proven in a study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. This study compared cholesterol levels in people who drank hibiscus tea with black tea.
A total of 60 participants with high blood pressure drank hibiscus tea or black tea twice a day for 30 days. The results showed an increase in HDL cholesterol, aka good cholesterol, while LDL cholesterol, aka bad cholesterol and triglycerides, decreased in people who drank hibiscus tea.
Other studies have shown that people who drink hibiscus tea do not experience changes in LDL cholesterol levels but have increased levels of total and HDL cholesterol. However, studies on a larger scale are still needed to ascertain the benefits of hibiscus tea on cholesterol levels.
4. Helps you lose weight
There are several studies showing the benefits of hibiscus tea in aiding weight loss. One study conducted on 36 people who were overweight and were given hibiscus tea experienced changes in body weight.
After 12 weeks, participants who drank hibiscus tea experienced a decrease in body weight, body fat percentage, body mass index values, and hip-to-waist ratio.
5. Overcoming inflammation
Hibiscus tea is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants can help prevent damage and disease caused by free radical buildup.
Hibiscus tea also contains many phytochemicals such as polyphenols and anthocyanins. These compounds can help reduce inflammation in the body which, when uncontrolled, can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and arthritis.
6. Improve liver health
A study shows that hibiscus tea can improve liver health and help improve liver performance properly.
This study of 19 overweight people found that drinking hibiscus tea for 12 weeks improved liver steatosis. This condition is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver which can lead to liver failure.
From the reviews above, there are many benefits you can get from consuming hibiscus tea. However, further research is still needed to confirm the benefits of this tea. You also need to consult a doctor if you want to consume this tea. Because this tea can interact with drugs such as hydrochlorothiazide, chloroquine, paracetamol (acetaminophen) and blood sugar-lowering drugs.
Make hibiscus tea at home
Reporting from Kompas, Iwan R. Hudaya, a consultant and hibiscus cultivator, shared a recipe for processing hibiscus into tea.
Hibiscus tea is made from dried flower petals and separated from the seeds. Leave the flower petals in the sun for 1-2 days to make it easier to separate the red tongue of the petals from the seeds.
The petals that have been separated from the seeds are washed clean, then dried in the sun again for 3-5 days. Then store the dried flower petals in a closed container.
Dry petals will easily turn into powder when squeezed. Store in a clean jar and cover tightly. To make the hibiscus tea powder last longer, odorless, and free of mold, put the silica gel wrap in the jar.
To drink hibiscus tea, brew it with boiling water as you normally would make tea. Add sugar according to taste. Hibiscus tea can be drunk warm or cold.
