You’re missing out on some serious health benefits if you’re not drinking hibiscus tea. This tart and tangy herbal tea with a cranberry-like taste is packed with nutrients and antioxidants that can help improve your health in various interesting ways.
Here are six benefits of hibiscus tea that may surprise you:
1. It May Help Prevent E. Coli Food Poisoning
E. coli is a type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning. It often spreads through contaminated food or unhygienic kitchen practices.
Hibiscus tea may help prevent E. coli food poisoning by inhibiting the growth of this bacteria. One study examining the antimicrobial impact of hibiscus extract demonstrated a strong effect against E. coli and a mild antibacterial effect against B. subtilis and S. aureus.
2. It May Lower Your Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
High cholesterol levels can cause plaque buildup in your arteries. High cholesterol combined with high blood pressure is a dangerous combination that often leads to heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular disease.
Hibiscus tea appears to have antihypertensive and hypocholesterolemic properties, which can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. For people living with high blood pressure or cholesterol, a daily cup of hibiscus tea can be a delicious and effective way to improve your cardiovascular health.
3. It Could Reduce Your Risk of Developing Cancer
Hibiscus tea gets its bright red color from anthocyanins, and a polyphenol flavonoid is known to have powerful anti-cancer effects.
In multiple studies, hibiscus extracts have been observed to impair cancer cell growth, reduce cell motility and invasiveness, and promote cancer cell death.
Although this doesn’t mean that a cup of hibiscus tea cures cancer, it does suggest that this flavorful beverage can be a useful aid in the ongoing quest to prevent cancer and improve health outcomes after diagnosis.
4. It Might Help With Weight Loss
Hibiscus tea is a low-calorie drink that can be a helpful addition to any weight loss diet. It can reduce obesity and abdominal fat and reduce the risk of obesity-related diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and fatty liver disease.
Drinking a cup of tea before your meal may also help control your appetite—preventing over-eating too many calories. You can also sip on it throughout the day to reduce unhealthy cravings and mindless snacking that contribute to weight gain.
5. It Can Improve Your Liver Health
Your liver is a hard-working organ that constantly filters toxins out of your blood. This makes it susceptible to damage from unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as consuming too much alcohol.
Fortunately, with its wonderful anthocyanins, hibiscus tea can help keep your liver healthy. As an antioxidant, it can help protect your liver cells and other organ tissues by scavenging harmful reactive oxygen species that contribute to cellular damage.
6. It Can Reduce Your Risk For Chronic Illness
Reactive oxygen species are produced as a result of normal metabolic processes. But when these molecules exceed the body’s ability to neutralize or repair the damage they cause, they can lead to chronic inflammation and a host of degenerative diseases.
The potent antioxidant effects of hibiscus tea make it a valuable weapon in the fight against chronic inflammation and related illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
If you’ve never had hibiscus tea before, you’re in for a treat. You make it the same way you would any other tea by steeping it in hot water for a few minutes. You can enjoy it warm or cold at any time of year. It’s a much healthier alternative to soda and sugary drinks, so try it today and see how you like it!
