Hibiscus tea is the herbal tea made out of the infusion of the magenta-colored sepals (support for the flowers when they bloom) of a plant called Roselle. It is known for its long list of benefits that mark it as one of the highly favorable beverages among people suffering from hypertension and diabetes. With benefits such as lowering your blood pressure and increasing the oxygen supply to your body parts, hibiscus tea can be a part of your exercise regime as well as your leisure.
However, we cannot judge the beneficial nature of an item without taking a careful look at its side-effects, and hibiscus tea is not an exception. Some of the common side-effects associated with the unregulated consumption of hibiscus tea in your diet are:
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Read here popular reasons on why people have inculcated Hibiscus tea in their daily lifestyle?
Side-Effects of Hibiscus Tea
1. Low Blood Pressure
Hibiscus tea is a good source of iron, a mineral that helps in balancing out the adverse effects of salt in your bloodstream. High consumption of salt can make it harder for the excess water to leave your cells, which in turn would increase your blood pressure. However, adopting a diet that is rich in minerals such as iron and potassium can help with the removal of this excess water, thus lowering your blood pressure.
But, it is important to note that further increase in the mineral intake can lower your blood pressure below the desired point, and can also dehydrate your cells as it aids in the release of water.
2. High Iron Intake
Under normal conditions, free iron that circulates through the blood is quite low in volume. Most of the iron that we consume form a bond with the proteins and are safely stored. However, if the intake of iron, which is present in hibiscus tea, exceeds its daily value, it can increase the volume of iron particles flowing in our bloodstream, which can further damage our cells, and in some cases, it can also form a layer over the walls of your kidneys, aiding in the production of kidney stones.
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3. Can Result In Low Energy Production
With benefits such as aiding in weight loss, hibiscus tea plays a vital role in the diet of a health-conscious being. But, did you know how drinking hibiscus tea can contribute to weight loss?
Well, it’s simple. A study claims that hibiscus extracts act as natural starch and sucrose inhibitors, which are responsible for weight loss (1). But before you start to think of hibiscus tea as your savior, you must note that starch and sucrose are also important for energy production in your body. And a high intake of starch and sucrose inhibitors, such as hibiscus tea, can decrease the production of energy in your body.
4. Doesn’t Go Well With Diabetes Medication
If you are suffering from diabetes and are regular with your medication, then it is advised for you to not drink hibiscus tea as it in itself is a natural sucrose inhibitor. Consuming along with your medication can further decrease your blood sugar level below its normal point. Hence, you must consult your doctor before indulging in a cup of this soothing herbal tea.
5. Causes Hormonal Imbalance
It is advised that women who are undergoing birth control treatment or are pregnant must avoid drinking hibiscus tea, as it is known to affect the body’s estrogen levels. And sometimes, due to its emmenagogue effects, it can lead to menstrual flow, dizziness, and in other cases, hallucinations.
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How much consumption of hibiscus tea is safe?
If you are concerned about the negative side-effects associated with the addition of hibiscus tea in your diet, then there is no need for you to worry. Unlike any other food item, hibiscus tea can be consumed in large quantity the development of side-effects take place.
On average, an adult can drink about 4 cups of hibiscus tea per day, which could be considered more than enough. Thus, an addition of hibiscus tea in your meal plan can prove to be quite effective especially if you are responsible with its consumption.
Some Known Benefits Of Hibiscus Tea
Now that you are aware of what unregulated incorporation of hibiscus tea can do, it is safe to say that you must take a look at its health benefits as well. If included in a diet responsibly, hibiscus tea can prove itself to be a form of an elixir for a health-conscious person.
As mentioned before, hibiscus tea is a natural starch inhibitor, which is responsible for reducing the amount of starch and sucrose absorbed after the digestion, which are the two main nutrients associated with weight gain.
Being packed with anti-oxidants, the addition of hibiscus tea in your daily diet can prove to be quite efficient in fighting the signs of aging as anti-oxidants aid in fighting free-radical cells, which might cause cell damage.
We cannot talk about the health benefits of hibiscus tea without mentioning the fact that it actually is a good source of iron.
Iron, one of the most important minerals, is required by our blood for the production of hemoglobin that is responsible for the transfer of oxygen throughout our body.
Apart from its traditional benefit, minerals such as iron are also responsible for lowering your blood pressure as it aids in the removal of excess water from your cells.
Best Time To Have Hibiscus Tea
In order to increase the effects and affectability of the nutrients present in a cup of hibiscus tea, it is important for you to consume it at the right time. But how can we decide the right time?
All you have to do is look carefully at the known benefits of this herbal tea. One of the known facts is that hibiscus tea, in some cases, has been linked with dizziness and hallucinations. So, precautions must be taken if you are drinking it before operating heavy machinery, or even doing other tasks such as driving, which requires your focus.
However, the other major fact about hibiscus tea is that it produces a feeling of calm in your body, relaxing the stressed-out parts. This makes it a perfect drink for relaxation that you can have in the evening time, before a nap, or even at night before going to bed.
FAQs
1. What are the benefits of hibiscus tea?
Hibiscus tea is packed with antioxidants that help in improving our overall health. Some of the benefits of hibiscus tea include weight loss, management of blood pressure levels, and improvement of cardiovascular health.
2. Is it safe to drink hibiscus tea everyday?
Everything is recommended in moderation, hibiscus tea included. It is best to not overdo the consumption of hibiscus tea as it may cause some side effects like lowered blood pressure and imbalance of hormonal levels.
3. Is it good to drink hibiscus tea at night?
Hibiscus tea contains melatonin which helps regulate our sleep-wake cycle. It may promote sleep. So, yes! It is a fairly good idea to drink a cup of hibiscus tea every now and then. Not only that, it has shown detoxifying effects on the liver.
Is It Worth It?
Of course, there is no doubt that the consumption of hibiscus tea can help you turn your lifestyle around. It is practical, authentic, and most importantly, hibiscus tea is a 100% natural way of choosing a healthy lifestyle.
Though you must understand a healthy lifestyle is the result of being firm with your diet and responsible about the intake.
Disclaimer – This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information before making any dietary changes.
