Hibiscus tea is definitely an herbal tea that's created by steeping areas of the hibiscus plant in boiling water.
It features a tart flavor similar to that particular of cranberries and may be enjoyed both hot and cold.
There are numerous hundred species of hibiscus varying by the positioning and climate they grow in, but Hibiscus sabdariffa is most commonly used to make hibiscus tea.
Research has uncovered a variety of health benefits associated with drinking hibiscus tea , showing that it might lower blood pressure, fight bacteria and even aid weight loss.
This article reviews benefits of drinking hibiscus tea.
Packed With Antioxidants
Antioxidants are molecules that help fight compounds called free radicals, which cause injury to your cells.
Hibiscus tea is abundant with powerful antioxidants and may therefore help prevent damage and disease brought on by the buildup of free radicals.
In a single study in rats, hibiscus extract increased how many antioxidant enzymes and reduced the harmful effects of free radicals by as much as 92% (1Trusted Source).
Another rat study had similar findings, showing that elements of the hibiscus plant, like the leaves, possess potent antioxidant properties (2Trusted Source).
However, bear in mind that they certainly were animal studies that used concentrated doses of hibiscus extract. More studies are needed to determine how antioxidants in hibiscus tea may affect humans.
May Help Lower Blood Pressure
One of the very impressive and well-known great things about hibiscus tea is that it might lower blood pressure.
Over time, high blood pressure can place extra stress on the heart and make it weaken. High blood pressure can also be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (3Trusted Source).
Several studies have discovered that hibiscus tea may lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
In a single study, 65 individuals with high blood pressure got hibiscus tea or even a placebo. After six weeks, people who drank hibiscus tea had a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure, compared to the placebo (4Trusted Source).
Similarly, a 2015 report on 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 might be a safe and natural way to help lower blood pressure, it is not recommended for anyone taking hydrochlorothiazide, a type of diuretic used to treat high blood pressure, as it may interact with the drug (6Trusted Source).