Is Hibiscus Tea the world’s healthiest beverage? Even better than green tea? In this article, we examine hibiscus tea.
What is Hibiscus
Hibiscus is a flowering plant with a variety of health benefits. According to many clinical human studies (these studies are linked below), hibiscus tea can lower blood pressure and speed up your metabolism, it also has anti-inflammatory effects. Hibiscus has a very high antioxidant content (multiple times higher than green tea). Hibiscus does not only contain a high amount of antioxidants, but it is also proven to increase the human antioxidant blood levels just hours after ingestion.
Hibiscus tea has been very popular in Africa and Mexico for thousands of years – in warm countries, hibiscus tea has been known as a “cooling drink”. You might have noticed how in Thailand people drink hibiscus beverages along the hot days. According to Wikipedia, Thailand, along with China is the world’s largest producer of Hibiscus.
Hibiscus tea benefits and studies
Hibiscus tea has been famously praised by Dr. Oz as a remedy for high blood pressure, but what other benefits does it have?
Please note that the flowers of hibiscus are usually from Hibiscus rosa-sinensis varieties and hibiscus sabdariffa (roselle) is a slightly different variety. But each has its own major benefits. Below are many studies from both varities.
The H. sabdariffa extract improved metabolism, displayed potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, and significantly reduced blood pressure in both humans and rats.
- 2014 study: Hibiscus sabdariffa extract lowered blood pressure significantly in both humans and rats. The same study found that Hibiscus improved metabolism, and is anti-inflammatory and a powerful antioxidant.
- Antioxidant (prevents DNA damage), and antibacterial benefits seem to come from both varieties, according to studies: 1 – 2
- According to this study Hibiscus anthocyanin (also found in blueberries) content acts as a free radical destroyer and significantly increases glutathione production, which makes Hibiscus a great mixer for alcoholic beverages. (See more natural hangover cures)
- In a new human trial (2014): It was revealed that Hibiscus sabdariffa extract reduced body weight, body mass index, body fat, and waist-to-hip ratio. The same study also found out that hibiscus helps to avoid fatty liver. (Drinking Hibiscus might be highly beneficial if your doctor has told you something about fatty liver)
- In a mouse study, Hibiscus was found to reduce depression.
- According to studies, hibiscus does not affect cholesterol levels, so it has just been a persistent rumor, which needs more studies.
Warning: According to WebMD you should not use hibiscus during pregnancy. It can also speed up the acetaminophen or paracetamol from the body, but it is probably not a problem. Hibiscus tea is very acidic and can consume the enamel of teeth on prolonged use. This can be prevented by using a straw and rinsing the mouth with water after drinking which dilutes and flushes out extra acids (video)
Recipe: The World’s Healthiest Drink
- Hibiscus tea – 2-3 bags hibiscus tea per a 1 liter of water (33 ounces), alternatively, 3-5 tablespoons of hibiscus leaves.
- Amla (Indian gooseberry) – Highest antioxidant content berry in the world. One teaspoon to give a bit of tartness and more power to the drink.
- Sweetening – Raw honey, xylitol or erythritol according to your taste. But do not ruin the drink with white sugar (Why? – See Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us).
This drink is probably one of the healthiest beverage you can enjoy (at least with its antioxidant content), and it’s way cheaper to make than buying coca-cola, soda drinks or red wine, which some people drink for its antioxidant content…
In addition, I can almost guarantee that you will get a better taste experience with above-mentioned hibiscus tea recipe, than with any soft drink.
Why eat and drink antioxidants?
It’s a well-known fact that the intake of antioxidants from the diet is dramatically beneficial for your health. Antioxidants may slow down your aging, reduce inflammation, prevent DNA damage, and so on. I recommend you to watch the next video where Dr. Rhonda Patrick explains what are antioxidants, why they are important and how they prevent DNA damage.
Where to get hibiscus tea?
You can find it in some of the biggest tea stores and health food stores. I’m ordering from online stores like Amazon.com and iHerb.com because of the cheaper price.
I have tested many hibiscus tea products, but this has been the best: Davidson’s Tea Hibiscus Flower
My second favorite is: Hampstead Tea Organic Fairtrade Rosehip Hibiscus
Here is also a link for high quality Organic hibiscus flowers (cutted)
If you live outside of the U.S, then your best choice to order hibiscus is iHerb.com which ships to over 150 different countries. Unfortunable iHerb does not have Davidson’s Tea, but there is other good options:
Hampstead Tea, Organic Fairtrade Rosehip Hibiscus, 20 Sachets
Organic Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) cut flowers in a one-pound bag is also a great choice. Put 2-3 tablespoon of these flowers to a pot and get a red glowing hibiscus drink:
Frontier Natural Products, Certified Organic Cut & Sifted Hibiscus Flower
Note: If you look at those studies mentioned above, the majority of those studies had been done with Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle), so that’s why I recommend Frontier’s H. sabdariffa cutted flowers in a one-pound bag, and also normal hibiscus tea bags (such as Davidson’s and Hampstead’s) which I believe are made from hibiscus rosa-sinensis. It’s good to drink both varieties, as both have a different kind of study benefits under their belt.
You can find more options from http://www.iherb.com/Hibiscus category.
If you’re first-time customers on iHerb.com you’ll get 10% off from your first order (5% off for everyone). You get the discount code automatically from my links or using the code: KLJ962
While you will benefit from this, I also benefit by getting “iHerb credits” which I can use towards my next orders. Thank you!
If you’re addicted to soft drinks or other sweet beverages such as juices, or you want to upgrade green tea to an even better hibiscus tea. You might get a new healthy addiction.