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Hibiscus Tea Health Benefits, Uses And Its Side Effects

Last Updated: Sep 12, 2020

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The health benefits of hibiscus tea, also known as Agua De Jamaica, include relief from high blood pressure and high cholesterol, as well as a disturbed digestive and immune system, and inflammatory problems as well.

Hibiscus tea helps to cure liver diseases and reduces the risk of cancer. It can also speed up the metabolism and help in healthy, gradual weight loss. It is rich in vitamin C, minerals, and various antioxidants, while also helps in the treatment of hypertension and anxiety.

Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea is a herbal tea made as an infusion from the sepals of the Hibiscus sabdariffa flower. It has a tart, cranberry-like flavor, and sugar or honey is often added to sweeten it. Hibiscus tea is a very popular drink throughout the world, and is often used as a medicinal tea.

Hibiscus tea is ruby-red in color, and is also colloquially known as sour tea. It is widely available all over the world, and can be consumed either hot or cold, depending on your preference. This tea is low in calories and is caffeine-free.

Nutritional Value of Hibiscus Tea

Let's check out nutritional information hibiscus tea, this tea is one of the heathiest beverages out there, as it contains no fats and no carbohydrates, but is filled with a plethora of essential nutrients. Hibiscus tea is rich in calcium and iron, as well as other minerals such as potassium and manganese. It has very impressive antioxidant properties, which help treat many diseases and ailments.

Nutritional facts Per 100 grams

37
Calories
0.7 g
Total Fat
3 mg
Sodium
9 mg
Potassium
7 g
Total Carbohydrate
0.4 g
Protein

Vitamins and Minerals

5 %
Vitamin A
30 %
Vitamin C
47 %
Iron

Health Benefits of Hibiscus Tea

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You can easily find hibiscus tea in your local markets. We also discuss the adverse effects of hibiscus tea on health. This ayurvedic tea good for diabetes supports liver health, high blood pressure, manage irregular periods, skin infection, acne, etc. Mentioned below are the best health benefits of drinking hibiscus tea.

Herbal Teas for Cholesterol Levels Management

Hibiscus tea helps lower bad cholesterol levels from the body, thereby helping to protect against heart diseases and protecting blood vessels from damage. The hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic properties of hibiscus tea can be beneficial for those who suffer from blood sugar disorders like diabetes.

Detoxifying Enzymes of Hibiscus Tea Protects Liver

Research has shown that the antioxidant properties of hibiscus tea may also help in treating liver diseases. Antioxidants help to protect your body from diseases because they neutralize the free radicals present in body tissues and cells. Drinking hibiscus tea on a daily basis can thus improve your overall health and increase lifespan.

Anti-cancer Properties of Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea contains hibiscus protocatechuic acid which has anti-tumor and antioxidant properties. Consumption of hibiscus tea on a daily basis slows down the growth of cancerous cells by inducing apoptosis, commonly known as programmed cell death.

Antibacterial & Anti-inflammatory Properties of Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea is rich in Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. It is an essential nutrient required by the body to boost and stimulate the activity of the immune system. Hibiscus tea is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Therefore, it prevents you from catching a cold and flu. It is also used to treat discomfort caused by fever, due to its cooling effect.

Get Relieves Menstrual Cramps

The health benefits of hibiscus tea also include relief from cramps and menstrual pain. It helps in restoring hormonal balance as well, which can reduce the symptoms of menstruation like mood swings, depression, and overeating.

Hibiscus Tea Acts as Anti-depressant

Hibiscus tea contains vitamins and minerals like flavonoids which have antidepressant properties. Consumption of hibiscus tea can help to calm down the nervous system, and it may reduce anxiety and depression by creating a relaxed sensation in the mind and body.

Hibiscus Tea Good for Digestive System

Hibiscus tea has been traditionally used to improve digestion. It regularizes both urination and bowel movements. Since it has diuretic properties, it is also used to treat constipation, which helps you lose weight and improve the health of your gastrointestinal system and avoid colorectal cancer.

Hibiscus Tea Benefits for Weight Loss

Over the years, hibiscus tea has been used to aid in weight loss efforts. When you consume food that is rich in carbohydrates, that food contains sugar and starch as well, which makes you likely to gain weight. This is where hibiscus comes in.

Hibiscus extract lowers the absorption of starch and glucose, and also inhibits the production of amylase, which helps in the absorption of carbohydrates and starch, which means that drinking hibiscus tea prevents the absorption from occurring. Therefore, hibiscus tea is found in many weight loss products.

Uses of Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus is a large genus of flowering plants, growing primarily in tropical and subtropical regions, whose flowers are used for a wide range of medicinal purposes and edible products ranging from making jams and jellies to lowering blood pressure, aiding in weight loss, reducing cholesterol and, in some cases, treating cancer.

Hibiscus tea has been proven to help manage blood pressure in hypertensive adults, and this is due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce blood pressure drastically with daily consumption.

Hibiscus tea has antioxidant properties which helps protect the liver, as well as lower bad cholesterol levels in the blood, thus keeping the heart functioning properly. Hibiscus tea contains vitamins and minerals like flavonoids which have antidepressant properties, so this tea is often used to treat anxiety issues.

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Side-Effects & Allergies of Hibiscus Tea

Although hibiscus tea has plenty of health benefits, it has a few side effects too. For people who are already suffering from low blood pressure issues or hypotension, consumption of hibiscus tea can further lower blood pressure levels, causing faintness, dizziness and damage to the heart and the brain.

Hibiscus tea is not recommended for pregnant women, particularly due to its emmenagogue effects which may stimulate menstruation or blood flow in the uterus or pelvic region. Additionally, hibiscus tea may cause allergies such as itchy red eyes, sinus, or hay fever in certain people.

Cultivation of Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea is a popular caffeine-free herbal tea made from the sepals of the Hibiscus Sabdariffa plant, also called the “Roselle”. For this reason, this drink is sometimes also called Roselle tea. Hibiscus tea has a long history of consumption in a variety of countries and cultures, but especially in hot, tropical areas, such as the Middle East and Central America, where the Roselle plant grows easily.

Hibiscus tea clearly was the beverage favored by the Pharaohs of the ancient Nile Valley when they wanted to refresh themselves in the desert heat. Gradually, the benefits of hibiscus tea spread to the New World, and later, all over the globe.

Hibiscus is a very low-maintenance plant, and can be grown in containers, pots, greenhouses, and even in open fields. For proper quality of flowers, hibiscus plants need plenty of rainfall and sunshine. Hibiscus plants prefer sandy loamy soils that are rich in organic matter.

References

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    Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
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    Reviewed ByDt. Ms. Shilpa MarwahB.Sc (Home Science), Post Graduation Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health NutritionDietitian/Nutritionist
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