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Peter Cartmann
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Posts by Peter Cartmann
Possible Adverse Side Effects of Drinking Hibiscus Tea
Jan 11th
Hibiscus tea can be effectively used as a herbal medicine. In fact, many people all over the world use it to reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, improve their cardiovascular health, improve their immune system or make their diet higher in antioxidants. Unfortunately, as with every medicine, you have to keep in mind that there can be some side effects. In this article you’ll read about five possible side effects of hibiscus tea.
1. Side effects for the baby
Because possible side effects for the baby aren’t known yet, if you’re pregnant or if you’re breastfeeding, you should stay on the safe side and avoid drinking the tea. Some experts believe that hibiscus (in large amounts) can stimulate the uterus and induce miscarriage. When pregnant, avoid consuming hibiscus in any way!
2. People with hypotension (low blood pressure)
People who have low blood pressure shouldn’t drink the tea. The reason is very simple: drinking the tea on a regular basis can reduce your blood pressure. When you have low blood pressure, blood pressure lowering medicine (such as hibiscus tea) can cause many dangerous side effects such as damage to the brain and heart.
3. Adverse reaction when consuming the tea for the first time
After drinking the tea for the first time, you might get hallucinations or you might feel sleepy (it depends on a person, some people don’t experience it at all). Keeping this in mind, don’t drink the tea for the first time in a situation where getting sleepy may be dangerous (such as driving).
4. Hormone replacement therapy and using birth control pills
The tea affects the estrogen levels. Consequently, people who had undergone a hormone replacement therapy (who had been receiving hormones) or women who are taking birth control pills should avoid drinking the tea (because it can cause hormonal changes).
5. Possible interactions
Hibiscus tea, as any other medicine, can interact with drugs. It can interact with blood pressure lowering drugs (since it also reduces blood pressure). It can also interact with diuretics (the tea is also a diuretic). It also interacts with acetaminophen. Last but not least, it can interact with some anti-cancer drugs. Keep in mind that not all drug interactions are known or reported in the literature.
Please keep in mind that scientists still don’t know everything about the tea. There’s always a risk that there are other possible adverse side effects that aren’t known yet. The tea is generally safe for most people and even drinking a few cups each day shouldn’t be dangerous to your health. However, always follow your doctor’s advice and don’t try the tea without asking your doctor first!
If you’re interested in reading more about hibiscus tea, read this article about hibiscus tea facts.
Is Green Tea Better Than Hibiscus Tea?
Jan 1st
Have you ever wondered whether it’s better to drink very popular green tea or lesser known (but still very popular) hibiscus tea? This article will help you choose which tea is better for you.
1. Taste
There are dozens of different varieties of green tea and each one is different and has a different taste. In comparison, hibiscus tea is always cranberry-like bitter and the only way to get rid of this flavor is to sweeten it (which means adding calories). For people on a diet who don’t like the tart taste, green tea is better. Green tea wins.
2. Hypertension
Since green tea has caffeine, it’s not safe for people with high blood pressure (caffeine raises blood pressure). It pales in comparison with hibiscus tea which is not only caffeine-free, but can also reduce blood pressure by an average of 7 points (if you drink three cups daily for six weeks). Hibiscus tea is a clear winner for people with hypertension.
3. Other beneficial effects
Free radicals are one of the possible causes of the aging process. They are also involved in neurodegenerative diseases and possibly in cancers. If you want to destroy free radicals in your body, you should have a diet rich in antioxidants. Both teas are very rich in them. It’s one of the most important health benefits of both teas.
4. Losing weight
Green tea is one of the most useful teas for dieters. It increases fat oxidation and improves insulin sensitivity (and that means that it tremendously helps you lose weight). Hibiscus tea doesn’t have this effect. It can help in digestion, it will also increase water excretion, but it won’t increase fat oxidation. Consequently, if you want to lose weight faster, green tea is a better choice for you.
5. Side effects
Both teas are generally safe for consumption and there aren’t many negative side effects. However, if you are caffeine-sensitive, you shouldn’t drink green tea in large amounts, because it has caffeine. Caffeine, when consumed in excess, can cause headache, diarrhea, hand tremors, impaired coordination or nervousness. Hibiscus tea is caffeine-free. However, you should avoid hibiscus tea if you’re pregnant or if you’re breastfeeding, because some experts believe that it can cause a miscarriage.
To sum up, both hibiscus tea and green tea are very healthy beverages. No matter which one you’ll choose, you’ll enjoy many health benefits it provides. However, if you have high blood pressure, you should probably drink less green tea and more hibiscus tea.
To read more about hibiscus tea, read this article on hibiscus tea or this article about benefits of hibiscus tea.