Do you really know Hibiscus Tea?

The hibiscus flower is known for its large showy pedals and is grown in subtropical and tropical regions around the world. It originated in Asia and the Pacific Islands, and the flowering plant called the Hibiscus rosa-sinesis is Malaysia’s national flower. The state flower of Hawaii is the Hibiscus Brackenridge or the yellow hibiscus. However, hibiscus tea is different from just the flower itself.

Hibiscus tea most likely began its journey in Africa, but the tea is enjoyed around the world and it goes by many different names. In fact, in West Africa’s Republic of Senegal hibiscus tea, known there as bissap, is its national drink. In Ghana it’s called sobolo. In Nigeria it’s called zobo. In Northern Africa such as Egypt and Sudan, the hibsicus tea is known as Karkadé.

In the Americas, the hibiscus tea is known as agua de Jamaica and rosa de Jamaica. It’s popular in Mexico, Central and South America as well as the Caribbean.

It is made not by steeping the pedals, but by infusing the crimson-colored sepals or calyces of the flower in hot or cold water. It is popular for its tart cranberry-like flavor.

What are the Benefits of Drinking Hibiscus Tea?

1. It’s Full of Antioxidants

Tea, of course, is full of antioxidants, but many herbal tea options also contain their own antioxidants as well just in smaller amounts. Of all the herbal options, hibiscus tea has the highest levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants are critical to maintaining a healthy body and prolonging life.

See, these oxygen-filled little molecules called free radicals float around in your body with an odd number of electrons. This makes it easy for the free radicals to react with other molecules and these reactions can spread quickly throughout the body.

Now, free radicals are necessary and oxidation in the body is actually a normal part of living. While free radicals are roaming around doing their job fighting off pathogens in the body, antioxidants remain there to keep them in check. Remember, free radicals have an odd number of electrons that make it easy for them to make chemical reactions. To keep them from over-oxidizing the body, the antioxidants hand out a free electron thereby evening out those free radical buggers.

The imbalance of antioxidants to free radicals is called oxidative stress and when the body remains in this state for too long it can cause damage to your DNA cells and other molecules within the body. Damage to your DNA can cause cancer and increase the rate of aging in the body.

2. It can help Lower Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar and Reduce Cholesterol

Studies have indicated that regular consumption of hibiscus tea can help reduce blood pressure and blood sugars. This can be good for anyone with high blood pressure or with type2 diabetes. However, if you are already taking medication for reducing blood pressure and regulating blood sugar then you should avoid hibiscus tea on the regular. It can have the polar opposite effect, decreasing blood pressure or blood sugars too much.

Other studies have shown that hibiscus tea consumption also has a positive effect on cholesterol; however, the nature of these effects varied to some degree. While some saw a reduction in their bad cholesterol others saw an increase in their good cholesterol and no effect on their bad. Weird right? All we know is that hibiscus tea has a positive effect either way.

3. It may help you Lose Weight

Studies conducted over a 12 week period suggested that hibiscus had anti-obesity properties allowing participants to reduce body fat. decrease their BMI and lower their hit-to-waist ratio.

In addition to having anti-obesity powers, hibiscus tea can also help you keep off the fat just because of the nature of hibiscus. It is not only about what you are drinking, but it is also about what you are not drinking. By choosing to drink hibiscus tea you are possibly avoiding other high-calorie, sugar-filled options. Hibiscus is sugar-free and has no calories, as long as you don’t add any sweeteners. Hibiscus may just help you avoid the garbage too.

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Overall, Hibiscus tea is super good for you, but before you take up a steady diet of hibiscus tea consult your doctor. There may be other associated risks involves in the consumption of hibiscus, especially if you are taking medications.

Hibiscus Tea Options

Hibiscus Tea infuses well with fruit, all kinds of fruit. Hibiscus on its own provides a tart cranberry-like flavor, which is delicious all on its own, but when you mix it in with the sweet combination of fruit, you get a whole new flavor sensation. This is one of the reasons children love hibiscus tea, it’s like a fruit punch without all of the acidity and sugar. Here are a few of the hibiscus options we offer that can start you on your healthy hibiscus habit.