Sitting back and relaxing while sipping your favorite tea is a wonderful way to treat yourself at any time of the day. Picture it—you place your carefully selected tea bag in your favorite mug and feel the steam wash over you as you bathe your teabag in the warm water. Nothing could be cozier.
The good news for tea lovers is that some blends offer more than a warm cup of joy. In fact, some may support your health. One such herbal brew is hibiscus flower tea, which may improve your health with its delicious infusion of vitamins and antioxidants—plus, it does not taste bad either. Follow along for The Republic of Tea’s guide to the health benefits of Hibiscus tea.
What is Hibiscus Tea?
What is Hibiscus tea made of? Hibiscus tea is an herbal tea made from the dried calyxes of the Hibiscus sabdariffa flower. The dried hibiscus flower can be served as plain tea or mixed with a variety of herbs, fruit, and spices for a unique blend. If you have never tried hibiscus tea before, you can expect:
- Vivid color – The hibiscus flower typically comes in shades of vivid red, pink, or fuchsia. As a result, the tea made from these stunning flowers is equally as radiant.
- Fruity taste – Hibiscus tea is often compared to cranberries in flavor. It is tart with a slightly sweet undertone. Many blends include berries, tropical fruits, or warm spices that pair well with the natural sour notes of the hibiscus flower.
- Varied serving options – You can drink hibiscus flower tea either hot or cold. The warm spiced blends are ideal for chilly autumn and winter days, while the brighter berry and tropical flavors are delicious as a hibiscus iced tea drink.
Hibiscus tea’s delicious taste and variety of blends are just one of its many benefits when it comes to the wellbeing of your mind, body, and soul.
The Health Benefits of Sipping Hibiscus Tea
While research is ongoing on the benefits of hibiscus tea, it is generally noted that herbal teas can support your body’s overall health and wellness. So, grab a cup of tea, and let’s explore how hibiscus tea may support your well-being.
#1 May Contribute to Lower Blood Pressure*
Consuming hibiscus tea regularly may help to lower your blood pressure, according to recent research results. In one study referenced in The Journal of Nutrition, subjects drank either a placebo beverage or hibiscus tea 3 times a day for 6 weeks.
At the conclusion, those who drank hibiscus tea for this study had lower:
- Systolic blood pressure
- Diastolic blood pressure
Interestingly, the subjects of this study showed a greater decrease in blood pressure than other groups, which were evaluated using other dietary and lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure. According to researchers, the blood pressure levels observed after just 6 weeks of the hibiscus tea trial are very promising and could lead to approximately:
- 14% reduction in death from stroke*
- 9% reduction in coronary heart disease mortality*
- 7% reduction in “all-cause mortality”*
#2 Equips Your Body With Antioxidants
Hibiscus tea contains many antioxidants, called flavonoids. Regularly consuming food that contains significant levels of flavonoids may be linked to heart and full-body health. Plus, consuming hibiscus tea regularly can pack your body with antioxidant weapons to help fight against harmful compounds called free radicals.
Free radicals can cause damage if they accumulate in high levels in your body. Free radical damage is linked to a host of chronic health problems, including:
- Cardiovascular disease*
- Inflammation*
- Cataracts*
- Cancer*
To that end, a cup of hibiscus tea a day may keep the doctor away.
#3 May Reduce Cholesterol*
A study in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that diabetic patients with high cholesterol benefited from hibiscus tea.
The results indicated that those who drank hibiscus tea twice per day for one month showed an increase in good cholesterol and a decrease in bad cholesterol. It is critical to note that further research is needed to learn more about hibiscus tea’s impact on the blood cholesterol levels of all people, not just those with diabetes.
However, drinking hibiscus tea may keep your heart functioning properly—and happy (what cup of tea does not?).
#4 Contains High Levels of Vitamin C
One thing we do know for certain is that hibiscus tea contains a significant amount of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is needed for many critical bodily functions, including:
- Forming new blood vessels
- Developing cartilage, muscle, and collagen
- Stimulating the healing process
- Absorbing and storing iron
Along with being a necessity for these processes, daily Vitamin C also offers the following perks:
- Skin health – Vitamin C improves collagen synthesis, which keeps your skin supple and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Vitamin C is also associated with faster healing of wounds and a reduction in the appearance of scars.
- Heart health – While adding Vitamin C to your diet has not been shown to decrease the risk of heart problems, deficiencies in Vitamin C have been linked to cardiovascular disease.
- Fewer infections – Increased Vitamin C intake helps alleviate and prevent some bacterial and viral infections.
Sufficient Vitamin C in the diet is vital for your health. To that end, a cup of hibiscus tea in the morning or at night may support to glowing skin and full-body wellness.
#5 Provides Caffeine-Free Hydration
Proper hydration is also an important factor in overall health, so you may even afford to sip on more than one glass a day if you are so inclined. In fact, staying hydrated has a direct effect on:
- Cognitive abilities
- Mood
- Skin health
- Thermoregulation
- Energy levels
- Digestion
- Heart function
When you do not hydrate properly, these critical body processes may suffer, which can affect your full-body health. Occasionally mixing healthy drinks like hibiscus tea into your hydration routine can add a sprinkle of nutrients, vitamins, and health benefits to your day.
So, does hibiscus tea have caffeine? Because hibiscus tea is herbal, it does not contain any caffeine, which can sometimes dehydrate your body. That is why a steaming cup of this fruity tea is an excellent way to stay hydrated day and night.
When Should You Drink Hibiscus Tea for Maximum Benefits?
There is not any perfect time to drink hibiscus tea for maximum benefits. Its caffeine-free nature means it will not keep you up at night if you sip it before or after dinner. You can pair it with lunch or breakfast as well. It is really just a matter of personal preference.
If you are interested in adding hibiscus tea to your routine as a replacement for sugary drinks like soda and juice, try sipping your tea when you get a craving for sweets. The tartness of the tea might help reduce your desire for unhealthy beverages. You can also mix it up by trying hibiscus tea blended with fruits and spices like allspice and cinnamon.
Can You Drink Hibiscus Tea on an Empty Stomach?
In studies involving hibiscus tea, those who consumed the tea tolerated it well and did not report stomach problems after drinking it. It is important to note that those subjects drank their tea three times per day, but it was not clear if they consumed it with or without food.
To be safe, try pairing your tea with a scrumptious cookie or even a gooey dark chocolate cake to mitigate any empty-stomach consequences. However, even on an empty stomach, when drunk in moderation, hibiscus tea should not cause any problems to your gastrointestinal tract.
Are There Risks Associated with Hibiscus Tea Consumption?
For some tea lovers, drinking too much hibiscus tea may cause an upset stomach, gas, or constipation. However, a cup or two a day should be perfectly fine.
If you take prescription medications, you should know that there are a few medicines that hibiscus tea may interact negatively with. Avoid hibiscus tea if you take any of the following:
- Diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
- Chloroquine
- Diabetes medication to maintain blood sugar levels
- Medication to regulate blood pressure
It is always wise to discuss potential drug interactions with your doctor if you are on vital, long-term medications. Medical professionals can give you the most accurate information about how drinking hibiscus tea or taking any other herbal supplement might impact the efficacy of your medications.
People who take diuretics and pregnant or nursing/ lactating women should also speak with their doctor about the safety of hibiscus tea.
Boost Your Health with Hibiscus Teas from The Republic of Tea
The hibiscus benefits and health-promoting properties offer a delicious way to feel your best and get your daily dose of certain vitamins and antioxidants. So, be sure to check how long to steep hibiscus tea.
At The Republic of Tea, we produce a wide variety of hibiscus tea blends to suit any palate. We prioritize freshness and taste—our whole leaf teas are made of the finest ingredients, and our packaging is air-tight to ensure your teas will always be steeped to perfection. Enjoy your perfect cup with The Republic of Tea today.
*The Site cannot and does not contain medical/health advice. The medical/health information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. We do not provide any kind of medical/health advice. Information and statements about the products on this site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sources:
PubMed. Hibiscus Sabdariffa L. tea (tisane) Lowers Blood Pressure in Prehypertensive and Mildly Hypertensive Adults. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20018807/
PubMed. Free Radicals, Antioxidants and Functional Foods: Impact on Human Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249911/#:~:text=Free%20radicals%20damage%20contributes%20to,or%20by%20promoting%20their%20decomposition
Tufts Journal. Tea Time is Healthy Time. http://tuftsjournal.tufts.edu/2008/12_1/briefs/01/
PubMed. Effects of Sour Tea (Hibiscus Sabdariffa) on Lipid Profile and Lipoproteins in Patients with Type II Diabetes. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19678781/
National Institutes of Health. VItamin C. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer/
PubMed. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579659/
PubMed. Vitamin C and Heart Health. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27529239/
PubMed. Vitamin C and Infections. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28353648/
Nutrition Reviews. Water, Hydration and Health. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24480458/
Medline Plus. Hibiscus Sabdariffa. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/211.html
