In my first post on this blog I would like to write a few words of introduction about hibiscus tea. Hibiscus tea, which is a herbal tea traditionally used by many people as a mild medicine, is popular all over the world, yet it isn’t very well known in the Western world. Here are some basic facts about this tea:
1. It’s really popular in a lot of countries!
Hibiscus tea is very popular all over the world. In Egypt, it’s considered as a favorite drink of pharaohs. It’s also very popular in another North African country – Sudan. It’s also consumed daily in Senegal. In Asia, it’s especially popular in Thailand, Malaysia, China and India. It’s also popular in Mexico, parts of South America, Central America and Jamaica.
2. It can protect you from many diseases
Hibiscus is rich in antioxidants which protect you from the damaging effects of free radicals. Free radicals cause damage to cells in your body and possibly also shorten your lifespan. A diet rich in antioxidants is very important if you want to stay healthy and lower your risk of developing cancer or heart disease. Moreover, hibiscus lowers LDL cholesterol levels (the higher they are, the higher your risk of heart disease).
3. It tastes like cranberries
If you like cranberry juice, you’ll like hibiscus tea. It has a similar tart flavor. However, if you can’t stand the bitter taste, don’t worry – many people drink hibiscus tea sweetened with honey or sugar. You can also change its taste by adding spices such as cinnamon, cloves or ginger. Moreover, you can prepare it either hot or cold (serve with plenty of ice).
4. It’s great for people with high blood pressure
Since hibiscus tea doesn’t contain caffeine, it’s safe for people with hypertension. And not only that – studies show that the tea can be a very effective blood pressure lowering medicine. Drinking 2-3 cups of the tea daily for a few weeks will lower your blood pressure level by 7-10 points.
5. It’s a diuretic and helps in weight loss
If you want to get rid of excess water in the body, hibiscus tea will help you. If you’re on a diet, hibiscus can help you stick to it better because it increases satiety. Furthermore, it helps in breaking down sugar and starch after a meal.
What are you waiting for? I hope that this article persuaded you to join millions of people who drink hibiscus tea on a daily basis!
