Is hibiscus good for diet?

Is hibiscus good for diet?

 In fact, there is not a single type of food or drink that alone helps to lose weight, and to lose weight in a healthy manner, a healthy diet must be followed, with increased physical activity, but some useful foods or drinks may help to lose color if consumed within a healthy and appropriate diet. , including hibiscus; The results of some studies indicated that the consumption of concentrated hibiscus may contribute to weight control, such as the study published by the Journal of Food & Function in 2014, which included obese people between the ages of 18-65 years, and it was found that those who consumed hibiscus extract decreased their weight and mass index. body, waist-to-hip ratio, body and abdominal fat and blood

 A review published by Molecules magazine in 2019 indicated that this weight-loss effect of hibiscus may be due to the fact that it contains beneficial compounds that may contribute to reducing obesity, reducing the accumulation of fat in the body, and inhibiting the process of fat formation in it (in English: Adipogenesis), and these compounds include: phenols, flavonoids; Such as quercetin, luteolin, and others.

 We emphasize again here that the best means to lose weight and maintain it is to lose it gradually by following a regular diet, and starting drastic changes in the diet, and the rate of physical activity that can be followed for life, and we note that the process of losing weight may become slow after a long time. It requires other changes.

 General benefits of hibiscus

The hibiscus plant has several benefits, including the following:

It is rich in antioxidants: 

the hibiscus flower is rich in antioxidants, so eating hibiscus tea may increase the percentage of consumed antioxidants that contribute to reducing the risk of damage to body cells caused by free radicals. Anthocyanins), which belong to the group of flavonols, and these compounds are responsible for the red or purple color of hibiscus.

Possesses antibacterial properties:

 Some laboratory studies have indicated that hibiscus may reduce the risk of some types of bacterial infections, including a study published in the Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology in 2016, which indicated that the methanolic extract of hibiscus has antibacterial properties.

Hibiscus damage

 Hibiscus safety degree

 The consumption of hibiscus is often considered safe for most of those who consume it in its natural quantities found in food, and it is likely to be safe to consume in large quantities such as found in its extracts, and we note that its possible side effects are still unknown, but for the pregnant woman, it is probably unsafe, as some studies indicate that It causes menstruation, and thus miscarriage of the fetus, and in fact there is no reliable information yet indicating how safe it is for the nursing mother, so it is best to avoid it.

 Contraindications to the use of hibiscus

 There are some health cases in which it is preferable to eat hibiscus with caution and in reasonable quantities, as it may cause some problems, and we mention from these cases the following:

 Diabetics:

 Hibiscus may reduce blood sugar, which requires adjusting the dose of the drug taken by the patient, so it is preferable to consult a specialist before consuming it, and some types of hibiscus juice can contain added sugar, and diabetics should be careful when using it as well.

 Low blood pressure patients:

 Hibiscus may significantly reduce blood pressure in people with low blood pressure.

Who will undergo surgeries:

Hibiscus may affect the blood sugar level, making it difficult to control during and after the surgery, so it is best to stop eating it at least two weeks before the scheduled operation.

How to use hibiscus

 Hibiscus has a distinctive and delicious flavor, and it is an easy-to-prepare home drink, and it can be prepared by soaking a teaspoon and a half of dried hibiscus in ¾ cup of boiling water for 5-10 minutes, then stir and sweeten as desired, and drink cold or hot. It has a pungent taste, so it is often sweetened with honey or a little green lemon is added to it to soften its strong flavor. Dried hibiscus can be obtained from stores or online, and it is also available in the form of ready-to-drink tea bags.

 It should be noted that hibiscus may be added as a flavor to food and drink, and to improve the aroma and color of some types of tea,[9] and the part that protects and supports the hibiscus flower is called the calyx, which is the part that dries and is used in the preparation of hibiscus tea. Its extract is available in stores as a dietary supplement.

 An overview of hibiscus

 The origin of the hibiscus plant (English: Hibiscus) goes back to the tropics and semi-tropics, and it is a flowering plant characterized by its five large and colorful petals, and is used as an ornamental plant, or to prepare food and tea. antioxidants; As vitamin C, some parts of the flower may be used to prepare the famous hibiscus drink, and some parts of the hibiscus plant are also used to prepare jams, spices, soups, and sauces.