Benefits of Hibiscus Tea
1. Packed with antioxidants
Share on Antioxidants are molecules that help protect against compounds called free radicals, which can damage your cells (2Trusted Source).
Hibiscus is rich in powerful antioxidants and may therefore help prevent damage and disease caused by the buildup of free radicals.
One study in people with Marfan syndrome, a disorder that affects connective tissue, found that an infusion of hibiscus extract reduced oxidative stress and increased antioxidant levels in the blood (3Trusted Source).
2. May help lower blood pressure
One of the most impressive and well-known benefits of hibiscus tea is that it may help lower blood pressure.
Over time, high blood pressure can place extra strain on the heart and cause it to weaken. High blood pressure is also associated with an increased risk of heart disease (5Trusted Source).
Several studies have found that hibiscus tea may lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
3. May help improve blood fat levels
In addition to lowering blood pressure, some studies have found that hibiscus tea may help improve blood fat levels, which can be another risk factor for heart disease (9Trusted Source).
In a small 2009 study, 60 people with diabetes consumed either hibiscus tea or black tea. After 1 month, those who drank hibiscus tea had increased levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and decreased levels of total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides (10Trusted Source).
A 2022 review found that hibiscus tea could reduce levels of LDL cholesterol more effectively than other types of tea or a placebo (12).
However, other studies have produced conflicting results regarding hibiscus tea’s effects on blood cholesterol.
4. May boost liver health
Your liver has several functions — such as producing proteins, secreting bile, and breaking down fat — that are essential to your overall health (14Trusted Source).
Interestingly, studies have shown that hibiscus may promote liver health and help keep your liver working efficiently.
5. Could promote weight loss
Several studies suggest that hibiscus tea may be associated with weight loss and could help protect against obesity.
In one small 2014 study, 36 participants with overweight consumed either hibiscus extract or a placebo. After 12 weeks, those who had taken hibiscus extract had reductions in body weight, body fat, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio (15Trusted Source).
Current research is limited to studies using concentrated doses of hibiscus extract. More studies are needed to determine how hibiscus tea may influence weight loss in humans.