What are the benefits of hibiscus, and what are its names, and does it raise blood sugar, and is it beneficial for men's health?

What are the benefits of hibiscus?

Hibiscus is rich in antioxidants

The hibiscus plant is rich in antioxidants, such as: beta-carotene, vitamin C, and anthocyanins, according to a report at the Cleveland Clinic.

"Foods rich in antioxidants help across the board and with quite a few health conditions," says nutritionist Beth Zeroni.

Antioxidants destroy harmful molecules known as free radicals inside the body, and free radicals cause damage to cells that contribute to diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

While your body uses its own antioxidants to fight free radical damage, foods rich in antioxidants may also play a role in disease prevention.

Hibiscus fights infections

Several animal studies and some small human studies have shown hibiscus to fight inflammation, says Zeroni.

Inflammation plays a role in the development of many diseases, including cancer, asthma, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

And while more research is needed, it appears that hibiscus may offer beneficial anti-inflammatory effects.

Hibiscus lowers blood pressure

High blood pressure leads to serious health problems, such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease.

In clinical trials, drinking hibiscus tea has been shown to lower blood pressure in humans.

However, the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that hibiscus and other herbal remedies lower blood pressure slightly, while they cannot be substituted for medications for those diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Hibiscus lowers cholesterol

High cholesterol is another health problem that affects millions of adults and contributes to serious diseases such as heart attack and stroke.

While some clinical studies have shown that hibiscus lowers cholesterol levels, others have shown little effect.

Zeroni says hibiscus may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels, but more research is needed to be sure.

Hibiscus Promotes Weight Loss

Several studies show a positive effect of hibiscus on weight loss, which may help prevent obesity, but these studies used plant extract, a more concentrated form of hibiscus tea.

We don't yet know if hibiscus tea leads to the same result, Zeroni notes.

Hibiscus supports liver health

Hibiscus helps maintain a healthy liver, according to several studies.

The extract protects the liver from a variety of toxins, likely due to its strong antioxidant activity, and it even showed some anti-cancer activity in lab tests of liver cells.

What are the names of hibiscus?

Known as: Gujarat and Gypsies, and his name in English (hibiscus), and in French (hibiscus).

Does hibiscus raise blood sugar?

Hibiscus does not raise blood sugar, provided that it is not added to sugar during its preparation.

In contrast, a report in MedicalNewstoday says that people with diabetes or high blood pressure medications should monitor their blood sugar levels and blood pressure when taking hibiscus, because it may lower blood sugar or blood pressure levels.

If you have diabetes, consult your doctor before eating hibiscus.

hibiscus benefits for men

Although hibiscus is beneficial for health in general, as mentioned above, a study conducted on mice found that it led to a change in the normal shape of sperm and the infrastructure of the testicle, and negatively affected the reproductive fertility of male mice.

"The current data suggest that hibiscus extract should be consumed with caution, and reasonable estimates of the human risks associated with its consumption should be provided," the study said.

If you are a man and have fertility problems, or drink large amounts of hibiscus, see a doctor first.

Hibiscus damage

Hibiscus has health risks for pregnant women, as there are data that it can stimulate menstrual blood flow in pregnant women, which may lead to miscarriage, and there are questions about its safety for breastfeeding women.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not take hibiscus, and consult your doctor first.

Hibiscus is generally safe to eat, however, you could have an allergic reaction to it.

In very high doses, hibiscus may cause liver damage, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

"You can definitely add hibiscus to your diet safely," says Zeroni, but she recommends talking to your doctor, because it can interact with some medications, and also draws attention to the potential negative impact of hibiscus on fertility.

hibiscus for hair

According to a report in Healthline, although some clinical research shows that hibiscus oil may promote hair growth, tests have only been done on animals.

Preparing hibiscus tea

Preparing hibiscus tea is very easy. A report in Deutsche Welle stated that the plant must be dried, and then soaked in hot or cold water, so that it can be enjoyed in summer and winter. The taste of fresh hibiscus tea is described as sweet and sour.

According to the German website InFranken.de, a cup of tea in the morning and in the evening is sufficient to obtain the best results, but doctors warn of undesirable effects for women during pregnancy, so it is advised to avoid it during that period.

Also, if you are taking diuretics, or have this effect, or anti-spasmodic drugs, it is best to consult your doctor before drinking this herb.