Is Hibiscus tea good for you? If you’re looking for a healthy tipple to balance out all the excesses of the upcoming festive season? Forget the cocktails — here are seven health benefits of Hibiscus tea.
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Health Giving Hibiscus
Humans have enjoyed the health-giving properties of Hibiscus for many years, but it’s a relatively new discovery for me.
I’m always on the look out for natural products, to aid my digestion. A friend recently mentioned the benefits of Hibiscus tea.
Hibiscus belongs to the Mallow family and originates from North Africa — and Southeast Asia — but now happily grows in many tropical and subtropical climates.
Hibiscus flowers — also known as Roselle or Karkade — can be used to create sauces, jams, syrups… plus both hot and cold drinks.
What Does Hibiscus Tea Taste Like?
The first time I tried Hibiscus Tea, it transported me back to childhood, when I’d occasionally have a mug of hot blackcurrant cordial.
It has almost the same delicious flavour; slightly tart but really fruity and warming. No bitter aftertaste and just the right amount of sweetness, although you can add sugar (or honey) if you have a really sweet tooth.
It’s most definitely not like regular black tea — so brace yourself if you’re expecting a cup of builders.
You may just be disappointed.
My preference is HIBSO instant Hibiscus tea sachets. They contain high-quality water-soluble hibiscus powder; containing no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.
It’s manufactured — and produced — in accordance with the EU health and safety laws, for peace of mind.
7 Health Benefits of Drinking Hibiscus Tea
1. Hibiscus Tea is Caffeine-Free
This is brilliant for me as it means I can have a cup before bedtime, with no worries of being kept awake!
It’s the perfect drink at any time of day.
2. It’s Low in Calories
The HIBSO instant tea sachets do contain sugar — but Hibiscus flowers are naturally sweet too, so if you’ve a taste for something sweet, Hibiscus tea is a really great way of satisfying a craving.
3. It’s Rich in Antioxidants and Vitamins
HIBSO teas contains vitamin C; a strong antioxidant that is well renowned for keeping our immune systems healthy.
But Hibiscus is also high in iron; a mineral that keeps our immune systems balanced and helps the body to maintain red blood cells.
As vitamin C helps to increase the absorption of iron, the health benefits of Hibiscus tea are doubled.
Winning all round, I’d say.
4. It May Help Lower Blood Pressure
Studies have shown that drinking Hibiscus may benefit our hearts, by lowering both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
5. Another Health Benefit is That it Could Lower Cholesterol
In some studies, it has reportedly lowered ‘LDL’ — the ‘bad’ cholesterol — and triglycerides (both of which are linked to obesity).
But Hibiscus tea can actually increase ‘HDL’, which is ‘good’ cholesterol.
More in-depth studies are still needed to examine the effects of Hibiscus tea and cholesterol reduction; but on the face of things, it looks really positive.
6. Hibiscus Tea Could Help Us to Maintain a Balanced Weight
Whilst Hibiscus tea certainly isn’t a magical ‘fat-busting’ potion — it could definitely work in tandem with a healthy diet and exercise due to its diuretic properties.
7. It Works as a Natural Diuretic for Better Digestion.
Diuretics increase the amount of salt and water expelled from the body as urine. This magic tea has been seen to work as a natural diuretic, pulling salt out of the body. Blood pressure is reduced as a consequence.
So is Hibiscus Tea Good for You?
So, is Hibiscus Tea the elixir of life?!
With so many health benefits, it certainly sounds like it.
But health benefits aside, I love it best because it tastes amazing.
It transports me straight back to being a child, drinking hot blackcurrant from a Tupperware mug.
For a hit of nostalgia, it’s the perfect drink!
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
