Hibiscus tea is an herbal tea that's produced by steeping parts of the hibiscus plant in boiling water.
It includes a tart flavor similar to that of cranberries and may be enjoyed both hot and cold.
There are numerous hundred species of hibiscus varying by the place and climate they grow in, but Hibiscus sabdariffa is most commonly used to produce hibiscus tea.
Research has uncovered a selection of health benefits linked to drinking hibiscus tea , showing that it may lower blood pressure, fight bacteria and even aid weight loss.
This informative article reviews benefits of drinking hibiscus tea.
Packed With Antioxidants
Antioxidants are molecules that help fight compounds called free radicals, which cause damage to your cells.
Hibiscus tea is abundant with powerful antioxidants and may therefore help prevent damage and disease due to the buildup of free radicals.
In a single study in rats, hibiscus extract increased the amount of antioxidant enzymes and reduced the harmful effects of free radicals by up to 92% (1Trusted Source).
Another rat study had similar findings, showing that parts of the hibiscus plant, such as the leaves, possess potent antioxidant properties (2Trusted Source).
However, keep in mind that these were animal studies which used concentrated doses of hibiscus extract. More studies are essential to determine how antioxidants in hibiscus tea may affect humans.
May Help Lower Blood Pressure
One of the very most impressive and well-known great things about hibiscus tea is that it might lower blood pressure.
With time, high blood pressure can place extra strain on the heart and lead it to weaken. High blood pressure is also associated having an increased threat of heart problems (3Trusted Source).
Several studies have found that hibiscus tea may lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
In one study, 65 individuals with high blood pressure were given hibiscus tea or perhaps a placebo. After six weeks, those that drank hibiscus tea had a substantial reduction in systolic blood pressure, set alongside the placebo (4Trusted Source).
Similarly, a 2015 review of five studies found that hibiscus tea decreased both systolic and diastolic blood pressure by an average of 7.58 mmHg and 3.53 mmHg, respectively (5Trusted Source).
While hibiscus tea may be a safe and natural way to greatly help lower blood pressure, it is not recommended for anyone taking hydrochlorothiazide, a kind of diuretic used to take care of high blood pressure, as it can talk with the drug (6Trusted Source).