Hibiscus Tea Reduces

Blood Pressure

Results of a small randomized trial showing that 3 cups of hibiscus tea daily for 6 weeks reduced
systolic blood pressure SBP was presented at the American Heart Association 2008 Scientific
Sessions and reported by Medscape Medical News (November 2008). The lead author was D. L. McKay from Tufts University. Among those with SBP over the median of 129 mm Hg, the reduction was almost 14 mm Hg whereas for those at or below 129 mm Hg, the SBP reduction on average was 7 mm Hg.

This study was placebo controlled with insignificant, minimal changes in the placebo group. Dr. McKay pointed out that, on a population basis, a reduction of 3 mm Hg in SBP would be expected to yield a reduction in stroke mortality of 8%, of 5% in CHD mortality, and of 4% in all cause mortality, based on data in the literature. Thus reductions of 7 to 14r mm Hg appear important. There were no adverse effect and Dr. McKay pointed to the absence of adverse effects in Nigeria where a hibiscus containing beverage equivalent to 25 cups of the tea used in this study produces no adverse effects.