There are over 200 varieties of hibiscus tea that are commercially sold in the United States. The formal name of hibiscus is the Hibiscus Sabdariffa flower. It is caffeine-free (as long as it is not blended with other teas) and bursting with sweet-yet-tart flavors, making it the perfect swap for a normally sugar-filled juice or beverage. Its flavor is thought to be similar to cranberry, and it is sometimes referred to as “sour tea.” It is rich in anthocyanins, which are responsible for its deep red/magenta color. It can be served cold as a refreshing glass of iced tea or hot to warm you on a cold day or as part of an evening ritual. The most scientifically studied claim is the use of hibiscus tea to positively affect blood pressures and cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease. Some of the other less-researched health benefits of hibiscus tea include assisting in digestion, strengthening immunity, working as an anti-inflammatory agent, and reducing the risk of cancer. As mentioned above, hibiscus tea contains a rich amount of anthocyanin, which is a phenolic compound. It is believed that this active compound is responsible for the tea’s cardio-protective effects. Another study2 on hibiscus tea investigated the hypolipidemic effects of drinking hibiscus tea. The researchers specifically looked at patients suffering from metabolic disorders like diabetes. The patients were randomly assigned to hibiscus tea or a placebo (black tea) and were instructed to consume it two times a day over the course of a month. Blood samples were taken before the study began and upon completion. The group that drank the hibiscus tea saw an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL, also known as the good cholesterol). The results also showed a significant decrease in the average total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL, also known as the bad cholesterol). Drinking hibiscus tea could also be helpful for patients suffering from anemia. Hibiscus tea is surprisingly high in iron. An 8-fluid-ounce serving (1 cup) delivers a whopping 20 milligrams of iron—an important mineral that keeps the immune system balanced and helps the body to maintain red blood cells (the carriers of oxygen around the body). The vitamin C naturally found within the hibiscus works to complement the iron, increasing its absorption. With the heaping amount of iron also comes small amounts of minerals like potassium, magnesium, and zinc. A study done in Taiwan on mice found that drinking hibiscus tea can slow the growth of cancer cells. Per this study, the researchers believed that the anthocyanins found in the hibiscus tea were responsible for slowing the growth of specific cancer cells. Specifically, this study looked at the HL-60 cells and found that hibiscus tea could cause cancer cell apoptosis, which means death of the cells. Although further investigations are needed, especially with human subjects, hibiscus tea could be developed as a chemopreventive agent in the future. Hibiscus may also be a powerful and natural antimicrobial agent in fighting against food-borne illnesses3. One study conducted in 2011 investigated the antimicrobial activity of Hibiscus sabdariffa on Escherichia coli (better known as E. coli). The findings indicate that hibiscus was effective at all levels in inhibiting E. coli—therefore making it a promising antimicrobial agent that could be considered for inhibiting other types of food-borne illness. Hibiscus has also been shown to work as an antifungal agent. A study conducted in 20144 found that Hibiscus sabdariffa extract inhibits the formation of Candida albicans. Candida albicans is a type of yeast normally found in small numbers on the skin, or in the mouth, gut, or vaginal flora in about 15 to 60 percent of the population. It is considered a low-grade pathogen, but when there is candida overgrowth, it becomes a health concern. And there are limited therapeutic options available to treat candida overgrowth, which raises more concerns for those affected and for us as a global health community. It is essential to research and develop methods of prevention. Therefore, promoting the application of natural plant-derived antimicrobials, like hibiscus, may be a good option for long-term prevention of these types of infections. Hibiscus tea is loaded with antioxidants and could be helpful in reducing oxidative stress in the body. In fact, it was higher in ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity), a lab test that quantifies the total antioxidant capacity of a food or food substance, than matcha, which was previously thought to be the most potent tea source of antioxidants. Hibiscus tea contained ORAC values twice as high as matcha’s. Hibiscus tea contains two antioxidants: anthocyanins and quercetin glucoside. Oxidative stress occurs when free radicals invade the body and the body does not have enough antioxidants to combat them. Free radical damage may contribute to many health issues ranging from cancer to aging skin, so it’s good to know hibiscus tea can be so helpful. Risks aside, there are many benefits to drinking hibiscus tea, some more well-studied than others. Including hibiscus tea in your routine is a great way to hydrate and increase the amount of antioxidants you consume. Happy sipping! What else can hibiscus tea do for you? Read on here. The Well Necessities (both the practice at the website) provides readers and clients with the tools to nourish from the inside while radiating from the outside. Lisa believes that the key to health and happiness is to mindfully eat real food. When Hayim is not seeing clients or working on her website, she is doing hot yoga, trying out new restaurants, or baking healthy cookies.
