Benefits of the hibiscus flower (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)
What is the hibiscus flower? Learn how it is used in soft drinks, jellies, and infusions, as well as for the preparation of jams, creams, and other derivatives.
Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), from the Malvaceae family, is native to Africa, was introduced to Mexico in colonial times and since then has been cultivated in warm and semi-warm regions of the country, being the states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, Colima, and Campeche, the main producers of hibiscus flower. The most used part of the hibiscus plant is the calyx or flower, which in Mexico is used in soft drinks, jellies, and infusions, as well as for the preparation of jams, jams, jellies, creams, and other derivatives.
The nutritional and medicinal properties of the hibiscus flower make it acceptable in many parts of the world regardless of its climate, it is drunk as fresh water or as tea. Hibiscus is antiparasitic, diuretic, and slightly laxative. It helps the digestive and renal process, it is useful to lose weight and to control cholesterol levels.
Effect of a hibiscus flower on cardiovascular diseases
Cardiovascular diseases are considered one of the most important causes of mortality in the world. An important risk factor in these diseases is the increase of cholesterol in the blood, a condition that increases with age in both sexes. Recent studies have shown that the reduction of serum total cholesterol and low-density cholesterol (bad cholesterol) with drugs reduces the incidence of coronary heart disease by 19%.
The objective of this research was to demonstrate that hibiscus has an effect in lowering serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in hyperlipidemias. A clinical trial was carried out for 14 months in social security beneficiaries in the city of Oaxaca, the study was applied to 40 patients treated with medication (Pravastine). Patients between 30 and 60 years of age, of both sexes and with high triglyceride levels were included.
Clinical monitoring of the patients included blood pressure, body weight, nausea, muscle, and abdominal pain, somnolence, dizziness, diarrhea, and headache. Ten grams of hibiscus were prepared in one liter of unboiled serenaded drinking water (a minimum interval of 3 hours), 5 grams of sugar (equivalent to 1 tablespoon) was added and ingested at any time of the day.
Hibiscus flower for lowering cholesterol and weight loss
At the end of this study, a 35% decrease in total cholesterol was observed with an increase in high-density cholesterol and a decrease in triglycerides. Several drugs have been used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, however, in most of them their action is usually discreet, the cost of the drug itself makes them not very accessible, in addition, the side effects are sometimes significant, reducing body weight and exercise are essential components in the management of hypercholesterolemia.
As an additional result, in this study, a weight decrease of 1 to 4 kg was observed in the experimental group without diet or exercise. The efficacy of a natural substance such as hibiscus, free of side effects, was demonstrated in this study, and in addition, due to its cost, it is very accessible to large population groups.
Source: Austreberta Luján. (2005). Beneficios de la flor de Jamaica (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.). Revista Vinculando. https://vinculando.org/mercado/flor_jamaica.html
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