Hibiscus tea is consumed daily by people all over the world. Some people drink it because it’s a mild medicine, some people drink it because they like its flavor. In this blog post I want to give you more information about this tea. Here are answers to five most frequently asked questions about hibiscus tea.

1. Is it tasty?

It depends on your preferences. If you like a tart cranberry-like flavor, you’ll probably love it. If you don’t like it, you’ll need to sweeten the tea with sugar or honey. To change the taste, you can also add some spices such as nutmeg or cinnamon or add a slice of lime. The flavor will also be different depending on the way you make tea – you can make either hot or cold tea.

2. What about health benefits?

Hibiscus tea is traditionally used as a mild herbal medicine in many places all around the world. First and foremost, you can use it to lower your blood pressure. Moreover, it lowers LDL cholesterol levels and consequently, the risk of heart disease. It’s rich in antioxidants which can protect you against the development of cancer, stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.

3. Is it really effective as a blood pressure lowering medicine?

Yes, and it’s very effective! A study conducted by researchers from the Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Seattle, Washington shows that the effectiveness of drinking 16 ounces of tea daily is statistically similar to the effectiveness of captopril which is a blood pressure lowering drug.

4. Does it help in fat oxidation like green tea?

Unfortunately the tea doesn’t have the same benefits as green tea – it doesn’t increase fat oxidation and doesn’t improve insulin sensitivity. However, it helps in digestion which can aid in weight loss. Moreover, it’s a diuretic which means that it decreases water retention (the more water you retain, the more bloated you look).

5. Can I drink it?

Hibiscus tea is generally safe and most people can drink it without any risk of side effects. However, you should avoid drinking hibiscus if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding (possible side effects for the baby aren’t known yet), if you’re using birth control pills (hibiscus causes hormonal changes), if you have low blood pressure (the tea reduces blood pressure). You should also be careful if you’re drinking the tea for the first time, because some people may experience side effects similar to hallucinations.

There’s a reason why so many people all over the world drink this tea. You too can benefit from drinking it. Why not try hibiscus tea today?