What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Hibiscus Tea Regularly

Drinking hibiscus tea promotes heart health and helps manage weight. It is a calorie-free drink rich in antioxidants.

Hibiscus tea is a rich source of antioxidants like vitamin C, carotenoids and anthocyanins. These compounds neutralize unstable atoms called free radicals to protect against oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress triggers cellular damage and inflammation. Both can contribute to premature aging and disease.

Consuming foods and drinks rich in antioxidants, such as hibiscus tea, may reduce your risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

Hibiscus supplements and tea have been shown to lower blood pressure. A 2022 study found that the reduction in blood pressure with hibiscus is almost the same as that of hypotensive medications.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a significant risk factor for heart disease. Lowering your blood pressure can reduce your risk.

Hibiscus tea has been shown to work more effectively than other teas in lowering cholesterol. It can significantly reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.

Reducing high levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol can positively influence heart health. High LDL cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease.

Anti-inflammatory foods and drinks can decrease inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP). Long-term inflammation is a leading cause of diseases such as heart disease, certain cancers, and cognitive decline.

A small 2019 study found that men who consumed 250 milliliters of a hibiscus extract drink experienced a decrease in their CRP levels. Hibiscus tea may also protect against nerve cell inflammation.

Hibiscus tea contains no calories, unlike other drinks that can be high in sugar, such as juice and soda.

The lack of sugar in hibiscus tea makes the drink more filling. Drinking unsweetened, calorie-free beverages can help you maintain a healthy weight for your body.

Hibiscus tea may protect against liver disease, but more research is needed.

A 2015 animal study found that hibiscus extract reduced liver fat accumulation in obese mice on a high-fat diet. Anthocyanin antioxidants protect the liver against oxidative stress.

A 2022 animal study also found that hibiscus extract was more protective against liver disease than a statin called simvastatin in some cases.

Further human studies are needed to confirm these benefits.

Test-tube studies have shown that hibiscus can naturally treat bacterial infections.

A 2019 study found that hibiscus prevented and treated the growth of diarrhea-causing gut bacteria. Researchers have suggested it might work as well as antibiotics.

The polyphenols and organic acids in hibiscus tea may improve insulin sensitivity. Insulin is a hormone that moves glucose (sugar) from your blood into your cells.

Hibiscus tea can significantly reduce blood sugar levels in adults. Unsweetened hibiscus tea can be an ideal drink for people with prediabetes or diabetes.

The nutrients found in hibiscus tea may vary depending on the brand you consume.

An estimated amount of nutrients based on 100 grams of hibiscus plant includes:

• Calories: 16
• Fat: 0 grams (g)
• Sodium: 379 milligrams (mg), or 16.48% of the daily value (DV)
• Carbohydrates: 0.89 g, or 0.32% of the DV
• Fiber: 0g
• Added sugars: 0g
• Protein: 2.68 g, or 5.36% of the DV

When you consume the hibiscus plant in tea form, it does not contain as many vitamins and minerals as in its raw form. Hibiscus tea still contains traces of iron, calcium and vitamin C.

Drinking up to 24 ounces of hibiscus tea per day for up to six weeks is safe for most adults.

Although rare, some people may experience mild side effects, such as stomach upset, gas, and constipation.

People who should avoid drinking hibiscus tea include:

• Children under 12 years old
• People who take blood pressure medication
• Pregnant and breastfeeding people
• Those who undergo surgery within two weeks

Hibiscus tea is available in several forms, including tea bags and loose leaves. It is known for its acidity, which is why it is also called sour tea.

Hibiscus tea is naturally caffeine-free, so you can enjoy it any time of the day. Ways to drink tea include:

• Enjoy it hot or iced in the morning for breakfast or in the evening before bed.
• Place the tea in water for seven minutes or more for a stronger flavor, or less for a weaker flavor.
• Sweeten it with honey or monk fruit.