Have you ever thought about switching up your daily cup of tea and trying something new? Or maybe you are not a tea drinker but want to be. Either way, hibiscus tea is worth trying!
Hibiscus is a flowering plant that originated in Southeast Asia and North Africa and can also be found in other parts of the world with warm and tropical climates. There are a variety of species of hibiscus depending on the climate and the location they grow in. However, the most popular species used to make tea is hibiscus sabdariffa.
Hibiscus tea is made from steeping parts of the hibiscus plant in boiling water. Alongside its delicious tart flavor, Researchers have found a variety of health benefits associated with hibiscus tea. Read below for the 8 health benefits of hibiscus tea.
Health Benefits Of Hibiscus Tea
1. Packed With Antioxidants
Antioxidants protect against free radicals that cause damage to our healthy cells. High in antioxidants, hibiscus tea helps reduce oxidative stress. This occurs when free radicals occupy the body and the body does not have enough antioxidants to fight against them.
Researchers found in one rat study that hibiscus extract increased the number of antioxidant enzymes and reduced the harmful effects of free radicals by up to 92%. Packed with powerful antioxidants, hibiscus tea may be worth adding to your daily routine.
2. May Help Reduce Anxiety
Hibiscus tea contains minerals such as flavonoids and vitamins. Researchers have found these minerals to help reduce anxiety symptoms as they put the body and mind in a relaxed state.
3. Improves Immune System
Packed with a large amount of Vitamin C, hibiscus tea can help you fight off the common cold or flu. If you are feeling sick, snuggle up on the couch with a cup of hibiscus tea and allow the hibiscus tea to work its magic.
4. May Promote Weight Loss
Researchers have found that hibiscus tea may promote weight loss and protect against obesity. One study performed on obese mice showed that after 60 days, hibiscus greatly reduced body weight gain.
Researchers also performed a 12-week study on humans with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 27. They found that hibiscus was successful at reducing abdominal fat, serum-free fatty acids, reducing anxiety, and improving liver steatosis.
The subjects who received the hibiscus extract pill lost weight decreased body fat percentage and altered their waist-to-hip ratio. While there still needs to be further research on the effects of weight loss in humans, it may be worth trying in addition to your workout routine.
5. Can Improve Liver Health
The liver is one of the more important organs in our body. The liver removes toxins from the body’s blood supply, regulates blood clotting, maintains healthy blood sugar levels, and more.
A study performed on rats found that hibiscus extract increased the concentration of drug-detoxifying enzymes in the liver by up to 65%. If you want to keep your liver as healthy as possible, hibiscus tea is worth it as it can flush the liver and fight off any potential liver disease.
6. Helps Lower Blood Pressure
Hibiscus tea contains properties that have been found to lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In one study, researchers found that the 225 participants who were given hibiscus tea showed significant effects in lowering both SBP and DBP.
In another study of 65 participants, researchers found that those who drank hibiscus tea had a remarkable decrease in SBP compared to those who received the placebo.
As high blood pressure places extra pressure on the heart and is associated with heart disease, it is important to keep your blood pressure under control.
7. May Help Fight Against Cancer
Hibiscus contains Polyphenols, which are micronutrients that naturally occur in plants known to have anti-cancer properties. Studies have found amazing results regarding the potential effects of hibiscus on cancer cells.
In one study, researchers found hibiscus worked in preventing prostate cancer growth from spreading and inhibited stomach cancer cells up to 52%.
In another study, hibiscus extract reduced the invasiveness of mouth and plasma cell cancers. While these studies were performed with hibiscus extract rather than hibiscus tea, it may still be worth drinking for its anti-cancer properties.
8. May Have Positive Effects On Skin
The high dose of antioxidants in hibiscus tea may have positive effects on the skin. As antioxidants protect against free radicals which contribute to speeding up the aging process, drinking a cup of hibiscus tea daily can help your skin appear youthful and smooth out any wrinkles.
Conclusion
Studies have indicated hibiscus tea can have positive effects such as reducing anxiety, fighting against cancer, improving the immune system, and more. With its delicious flavor and many health benefits, hibiscus tea may be worth adding to your daily ritual!
Disclaimer: We are not medical professionals and you should consult your doctor regarding dosage or questions on if hibiscus tea is safe for you.
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