Hibiscus tea has several potential health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, reducing “bad” cholesterol and helping with weight management.
However, as researchers are still learning about the effects of hibiscus tea, more research is needed to confirm these benefits. There are also some potential risks of drinking hibiscus tea for people who are pregnant, taking other medications or living with certain health conditions.
What is hibiscus tea?
Hibiscus is a flowering plant that grows in warmer climates. The flowers have a deep red color and a sweet and sour taste, similar to cranberries.
The part of the plant used to make hibiscus tea is known as the calyx. The calyx protects and supports the hibiscus flower. Many cultures around the world use hibiscus both in food and as medicine.
There are two species of hibiscus that usually appear in tea products: Hibiscus sabdariffa and Hibiscus rosasinensis. H. rosasinesis is more common and less expensive than H. sabdariffa, but there is less scientific evidence supporting its benefits.
Benefits of hibiscus tea
The following sections summarize the potential health benefits of hibiscus tea.
Lowering blood pressure
A 2020 review of seven previous studies found that hibiscus tea significantly lowered blood pressure. This included both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
The review focused on H. sabdariffa tea, so it is unclear whether the results would be the same for H. rosasinesis. Further research is needed on both hibiscus varieties.
Reducing bad cholesterol
A 2021 review of 39 previous studies found evidence that H. rosasinesis tea can help control high cholesterol. It is the type of hibiscus most commonly found in commercial tea products.
The authors concluded that the concentration of hibiscus in homemade tea was theoretically sufficient to have anticholesterol effects.
A 2020 review also found that hibiscus tea could reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol. However, the tea did not appear to significantly lower total cholesterol levels.
Reducing blood sugar levels
In addition to lowering LDL cholesterol, a 2020 review also found that H. sabdariffa tea significantly lowers fasting glucose levels. This is the amount of sugar in the blood after a night of not eating. Fasting glucose is a test that doctors use to determine whether a person may have diabetes.
A 2021 review also found evidence of anti-diabetic effects of H. rosasinesis and may help control diabetes.
Weight management
A 2023 review and meta-analysis examined studies on the effects of H. sabdariffa in combination with other plant extracts. The authors found some evidence suggesting that hibiscus tea with other plants can induce weight loss in both people without health conditions and those with obesity.
Researchers suggest it could be a useful tool in treating metabolic syndrome, which is a group of conditions that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke and coronary heart disease.
However, they stress that these are preliminary results. This means that more research is needed to confirm whether hibiscus tea could have benefits in the treatment of obesity or metabolic syndrome.
Hormonal balance
One of the uses of H. rosasinesis in traditional Mexican medicine is to treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a group of symptoms that can occur before a woman’s period. Hibiscus has also been used to relieve symptoms of menopause.
Studies evaluating these uses are lacking, but hibiscus tea contains phytoestrogens. These are chemicals that act like estrogen in the body. Scientists need to do more research to confirm whether this tea could be an effective way to reduce PMS or menopause symptoms.
Learn more about phytoestrogens.
Nutritional values of hibiscus tea
Pure hibiscus tea is naturally calorie-free and caffeine-free. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 8 fluid ounces (237 grams) of hibiscus tea also contains trace amounts of certain minerals, such as:
- calcium
- magnesium
- phosphorus
- potassium
But the reason hibiscus has gained attention in medical research is because of its polyphenol content.
Polyphenols are a large group of chemicals with antioxidant properties. They occur naturally in many foods, but are present in particularly high amounts in hibiscus.
Scientists are still learning how polyphenols benefit human health, so it is still unclear how they work.
Side effects of hibiscus tea
A narrative review of 2022 hibiscus studies found no reports of side effects in the clinical trials studied. However, this does not mean that side effects are impossible.
In some people, hibiscus tea can cause stomach upset or bloating. Some people may also be allergic to hibiscus. Overall, however, it seems to cause few reactions with short-term use.
Risks of hibiscus tea
While hibiscus tea may have benefits, it also has some potential risks, such as:
Drug interactions
According to an older review, hibiscus tea may interact with several drugs, including paracetamol (Tylenol) and hydrochlorothiazide, which is a diuretic.
Since hibiscus contains phytoestrogens, it is also possible that it could interfere with hormonal medications such as the birth control pill. However, so far there are no studies on this subject.
People taking medications or having other health conditions should talk to their doctor before drinking hibiscus tea.
Pregnancy and lactation
It is unclear whether drinking hibiscus tea is safe during pregnancy. Although one of the traditional uses of hibiscus tea is to manage pregnancy-related symptoms, phytoestrogens can affect a person’s hormone levels. There are currently no studies assessing whether this poses a risk to pregnancy.
Liver damage
An older review of animal and human studies notes that very large amounts of H. sabdariffa extract can have negative effects on the liver. A previous study in rats showed that taking 300 milligrams (mg) of hibiscus extract daily for 3 months resulted in elevated liver enzymes.
However, this was a very large amount of hibiscus for a small animal. More research is needed to determine whether hibiscus tea, which is probably weaker in concentration, could have a similar effect on humans.
Low blood pressure
People who tend to have low blood pressure may need to be careful with hibiscus, as it could lower blood pressure even more.
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about hibiscus tea.
Is it possible to drink hibiscus tea every day?
This may depend on the individual. A 2020 review notes that some evidence suggests that 2-3 cups a day may be beneficial for high blood pressure. But there are no long-term studies on the effects of drinking hibiscus tea daily among the general population.
Does hibiscus tea reduce belly fat?
There is some evidence that hibiscus tea can aid weight loss, but no evidence that it specifically targets belly fat.
Who should not drink hibiscus tea?
People with low blood pressure and taking other medications may need to avoid hibiscus tea. The effects on pregnancy are not clear.
Summary
Hibiscus tea is a sour-sweet drink that can benefit people with high blood sugar, high blood pressure and high levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol. It can also support weight loss in people trying to achieve moderate weight.
Source: Hibiscus tea: Health benefits and risks (medicalnewstoday.com)
