Hibiscus tea is delicious, attractive, and loaded with antioxidants that may the cause of a number of health advantages. It makes sense why it was named one of the top cuisine trends for 2022.
If you’ve seen hibiscus listed as an ingredient in nonalcoholic drinks sold in supermarkets or on cocktail menus, there’s a good explanation for this trend. Hibiscus has a number of health benefits. One of the most important culinary developments to keep an eye out for between now and 2022 is the rise of the hibiscus. The brilliant red blossom is lovely to look at. But the advantages it provides go well beyond its aesthetic value. Continue reading to learn more about what hibiscus is, as well as its uses. Potential drawbacks, and how you may incorporate it into your everyday life at home.
What Is Hibiscus?
The hibiscus, scientifically known as Hibiscus sabdariffa, is a blooming plant that produces edible fruit and is native to portions of Asia and Africa. It is also grown in Mexico and Central America. It is a common misconception that the petals of the flower are the portion of the plant that may use for both food and drink. In reality, the calyxes of the flower are the edible part of the plant. Calyxes, often spelled calyces, are the sepals of a flower. In addition to their various functions, they are in charge of guarding the flower’s developing bud and its individual petals.
The most popular way that hibiscus ingeste is in the form of tea, while it is also also referred to as roselle, sorrel, and zobo. The dried, red calyxes of the hibiscus plant are used to make hibiscus tea. Which may prepare using either hot or cold water. However, the dried calyxes are also commonly utilized in cookery. Particularly in the production of hibiscus syrup and jam, as well as tacos made with vegan ingredients. Hibiscus, both fresh and dried, may use to provide taste and color to beverages. A significant concentration of anthocyanins, a red-blue pigment with antioxidant characteristics that gives hibiscus its attractive deep red color. May be found in the red calyxes that are located beneath the bloom. These calyxes can found underneath the bloom.
The flavor of hibiscus is fruity, sour, and sweet all at the same time, and it is quite refreshing. People have said that the taste of hibiscus is somewhat similar to that of cranberries, but with a flowery aftertaste. Cup of fresh tea and different varieties of tea leaves, blended tea with flower petals, hibiscus in a wooden spoon and dried citruses.
Is Hibiscus Tea Good for You?
Although hibiscus tea is not overflowing with essential vitamins and minerals, it does contain a significant amount of a class of antioxidants known as polyphenols, more especially anthocyanins. According to Anne Danahy, RDN, owner of Craving Something Healthy and a registered dietitian located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The antioxidants in hibiscus tea “account in large part for the tea’s stunning red-fuschia hue and various health benefits.” Although hibiscus tea should not use in lieu of prescribed medicine. The study that has done on this calming beverage is really intriguing.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at some of the advantages to one’s health that may derive from consuming these edible calyxes.
Contains Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Anthocyanins, according to registered dietitian and nutrition adviser of Fin vs. Fin Kelsey Lorencz, RD, “connecte with the prevention of cancer and diabetes and have significant anti-inflammatory properties.” An analysis that was conducted in 2017 and published in the journal Food & Nutrition Research found that anthocyanins inhibit inflammation. A process that, when left unchecked, may contribute to the development of illnesses such as cancer. In addition, anthocyanins are recognized as possible agents that inhibit the growth of new blood vessels. Anti-angiogenic drugs inhibit the body’s ability to produce new blood vessels, which eliminates the “feeding” of tumor cells with oxygen.
May Reduce Blood Lipid Levels
Your blood lipids are made up mostly of three components: LDL cholesterol, sometimes known as the “bad cholesterol;” HDL cholesterol. Also known as the “good cholesterol;” and triglycerides, which are known to raise the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to StatPearls, dyslipidemia is a disorder that may lead to heart disease and defind by an imbalance of HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. In addition, dyslipidemia can increase the risk of developing diabetes.
In a study of the medicinal benefits of hibiscus that publish in the journal Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy in 2018. The authors stated that hibiscus extract has proven to lower levels of LDL and triglycerides without changing levels of HDL. The possibility that hibiscus might reduce blood lipid levels could have a beneficial effect on fatty liver disease.
Could Lower Blood Pressure
According to the Centers for Disorder Control and Prevention (CDC), hypertension. More often known as high blood pressure, is a disease that affects around 47 percent of the population in the United States. The condition known as hypertension produces an increase in arterial blood pressure. Which puts additional stress on the heart and raises the risk of cardiovascular disease as well as the possibility of experiencing a stroke. Hibiscus flowers have a long history of medicinal usage, and one of those uses is to decrease blood pressure. According to the findings of several studies, hibiscus extract may helpful for treating mild to moderate hypertension.
According to Lorencz, “a particular component in the hibiscus calyx induces nitric oxide to be produced from cells inside the blood arteries. Which results in an effective reduction in blood pressure.” People who have prehypertension or type 1 hypertension may benefit from using hibiscus and lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora) as dietary supplements. According to the findings of a randomized controlled research that was published in Molecules in 2021.
May Help with Blood Sugar
According to MedlinePlus, diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition in which the body is unable to balance the amount of sugar in the blood. There are three primary forms of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Which manifests itself during pregnancy, type 1 diabetes is the most common kind. Diabetes type 2 is the more prevalent kind. And it affects more than one in ten people in the United States. A persistently high blood sugar level may cause a variety of adverse health effects, including damage to the kidneys, liver, and eyes. A study that conducte in 2022 and publish in the journal Pharmaceuticals shown that hibiscus tea has a positive impact on blood sugar. Nevertheless, further research require to definitively establish the connection between the two.
Potential Side Effects
When ingested in modest quantities, such as in tea (two to four cups per day), hibiscus thought to safe for human consumption. However, according to Kristin Draayer, M.S., RDN, toxicity may cause by taking large dosages. According to Draayer, hibiscus may cause adverse reactions when used with other drugs. Particularly those prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure or diabetes. Because of the impact it has on decreasing blood pressure, according to Lorencz. Hibiscus should avoid not just during pregnancy and nursing but also prior to surgical procedures. It is also important to bear in mind that hibiscus may have a diuretic impact on the body. Which means that consuming too much of it might cause you to become dehydrated.
Before incorporating any new components into your diet. It is essential to discuss your options with the professional who oversees your medical treatment.
How to Make Hibiscus Tea at Home
You may purchase tea bags flavored with hibiscus at certain grocery stores, specialized tea shops, and even on some websites. When using disposable tea bags to make hibiscus tea at home. Be sure to follow the directions supplied by the manufacturer. Making hibiscus tea at home is quite easy. Also, if you come across dried calyxes. The best approach to brew a cup of hibiscus tea is using a tea infuser made of stainless steel since it’s the least complicated method.
You may also create hibiscus tea by combining one tablespoon of dried hibiscus with eight ounces of water that has brought to a boil. Then allowing the mixture to steep for about ten minutes. After the tea has had time to steep, strain it through a fine-mesh screen to remove any particles. How strong of a cup of tea do you prefer? That will determine how long you let the tea simmer. To evaluate which flavor profile best suits your tastes, we suggest taking a sip every five minutes. Taking into consideration the intensity of the color is another way to tell whether your hibiscus tea is ready to consum.
As just discuss one of the many wonderful things about hibiscus tea is that it may enjoy either hot or cold. Mixing the brewed tea with sparkling water is something that Draayer advises doing for a cool and delicious hibiscus tea. Alternatively, she adds, “Muddle some raspberries or strawberries in the bottom of a glass, add ice, then sparkling hibiscus tea.” Do you really want to spice things up? On those scorching summer days, give our Strawberry-Hibiscus Agua Fresca a try.
Bottom Line
Studies have shown that the antioxidants included in the hibiscus plant have effects that are both anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer. In addition, drinking hibiscus tea may provide you with some intriguing prospective health advantages. Such as decreasing your blood pressure, maintaining the stability of your blood sugar, and reducing the amounts of blood lipids in your blood. However, hibiscus tea should not considere a panacea until further study has conducte in this area. There is no doubt about it: enjoying this delectable beverage is a wonderful way to beat the chill on a chilly day or cool down on a hot one.
Jessica Levinson, M.S., from Geometry Dash RDN, CDN Reviewed by Dietitian Victoria Seaver, M.S., RD