Hibiscus Infusion & Blood Pressure

But furthermore, a number of studies have found that hibiscus tea (also known as hibiscus infusion) contains a compound that helps reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease. This compound has the effect of decreasing the triglycerides count and the amount of Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL or ‘bad cholesterol’) and at the same time increasing the count of High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL or ‘good cholesterol’).

The compound also has the effect of stabilising systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The antioxidant properties of hibiscus also help reduce the risk of heart disease. Flavonoids which are responsible for the antihypertensive properties are polyphenolic composites found in plants. They prevent the clotting of blood, improve the function of the coronary artery and stimulate insulin production in the body.

According to a research done at Tufts University in Boston, hibiscus infusions can reduce blood pressure by up to 10 points if the individual consumes at least three cups a day for few weeks, owing to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Another report presented by nutrition scientist Diane McKay at the American Heart Association’s annual conference in New Orleans, LA, stated that drinking hibiscus infusions succeeded in lowering blood pressure in a group of pre-hypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults who participated in a clinical trial for six weeks. This data supports that drinking hibiscus infusion in an amount readily incorporated into the diet may play a role in controlling blood pressure.

Furthermore the drink is a packed-full supply of minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc and contains a few vitamins like ascorbic acid, niacin and folate. It also has the essential fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6 and is a good source of dietary fibre and protein that help improve your overall health.