Hibiscus tea is one of the most popular herbal medicines all around the world (and many people simply drink it because they like its taste). Unfortunately, it’s difficult to find a good article about this tea. In this blog post I want to share with you five very common questions about hibiscus tea and of course answer them. Here they are!
1. How does hibiscus tea taste like?
Do you like cranberries? If so, I have good news for you: hibiscus tea has a similar tart flavor. What if you don’t like cranberries? No problem – you can always add some sugar or honey, add some spices or even some rum, make hot tea or ice tea and you can dramatically change the flavor of it.
2. What about my blood pressure?
Studies show that hibiscus tea is great for people who suffer from mild to moderate hypertension. In fact, the tea can be as effective in treating high blood pressure as some antihypertensive drugs! You just need to drink three cups of the tea each day for six weeks and you’ll reduce your blood pressure by an average of 7 points (another study shows that you can lower it even by 10 points just after four weeks of drinking the extract of hibiscus tea).
3. Are there any other health effects?
Yes, and there are plenty of them! The tea does not only reduce blood pressure, but also lower LDL cholesterol levels (and as a result, lowers your risk of heart disease). It’s also rich in antioxidants which destroy very harmful free radicals in your body. Moreover, it’s rich in vitamin C that can improve your immune system.
4. Can I drink it if I’m on a diet?
Of course! If you don’t sweeten it with sugar or honey, it will be calorie-free. It’s a great healthy beverage that may increase satiety. Furthermore, it helps in digesting starch and sugar which aids in weight loss. Last but not least, it’s a diuretic, so it can help you get rid of excess water retention.
5. What about potential negative side effects?
Fortunately, hibiscus is generally safe and there aren’t many side effects. You shouldn’t drink it if you suffer from hypotension (low blood pressure), because it lowers blood pressure. You shouldn’t consume it if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, because it isn’t known if it’s harmful for the baby. And finally, stay away from the tea if you’re using birth control pills, since it may cause hormonal changes in the body.
As you can see, hibiscus tea can help you in numerous ways. Why not try it today?
