Benefits of the Hibiscus Flower

Hibiscus flower reduces stress, cholesterol, and diabetes in obese patients.

A pioneering clinical study with 31 patients suffering from obesity reflects that the polyphenols from the petals of the flower of Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), very extended to beautify parks and public gardens, significantly reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes.

This result is the culmination of the work developed over three years and a half by biologist molecular María Herranz and Vicente Micol, of the Institute of Molecular Biology and cell (IBMC) of the University Miguel Hernández of Elche (Alicante), with financing plans VALi+D and Prometeo de la Generalitat Valenciana and CDTI of the Ministry of economy and competitiveness.

These studies have been conducted in collaboration with Jorge Joven y Carlos Villaverde, Centre of research in Biomedicine of the Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan de Reus (Tarragona) with Antonio Segura, of the University of Granada.

After trials in animal and cell models, 31 hypertensive patients in this hospital have been treated with a BMI of 31 index (considered obese 30) in which it has been observed that after a month of taking dissolved in water between 6 and 8 grams daily of extract of Hibiscus hibiscus sabdariffa, improved the main values of the pathological picture related to obesity.

Overall performance decrease blood pressure

Micol, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the City University, has told EFE that the overall results conclude one decreased both systolic blood pressure (high) as the diastolic (lower) in around 20 and 10 percent, respectively.

Also produced a significant reduction in cholesterol, of 10 percent of the hemoglobin glycosylated (diabetes marker) by about 25 percent and also of the heart rate.

Clinical trials concluded in early 2013 and the IBMC researchers are now in the phase of developing a scientific article for submission and publication in the international journal specialized in the science of food and nutrition molecular ("Molecular Nutrition and Food Research").
"This flower, 'roselle' or 'karkade' is taken as a traditional drink in some African tropical countries"

Micol (Lleida, 1963) has explained that this flower - also called "roselle" or "karkade" - is taken as a traditional drink in some tropical Africa, such as Senegal and Sudan, Ibero-American (Mexico and Panama) and Asian countries (Thailand and Malaysia) by the popular belief that it is beneficial to health, although so far were not compelling in the international scientific literature clinical papers.

This flower is used in the gardens in cities and towns by its resistance to the weather and beauty, have a chalice with between 4 and 5 large petals of deep red and a few bright yellow stamens.

The most striking for scientists is the ability against fat cells
However, what most attracted the attention of scientists at the IBMC is the ability of its polyphenols against the fat cells from the adipose tissue, something that have been tested successfully in crops, in laboratory mice and, more recently, in patients with a pathological picture of abnormal glucose, hypertension, fatty liver, triglycerides and cholesterol.

A company specializing in food, nutraceutical and functional food, the Elche Monteloeder SL ingredients, has recently signed an agreement with the IBMC to industrially manufacture this product, that the researchers obtained by heating to boiling petals and stamens after grinding them, with a later stage of enrichment and drying.

The resulting product could added to other food, such as yogurt or fruit juices items, or dissolved in water for its administration.

Micol has highlighted that, in addition to checking the powers of the Hibiscus sabdariffa, this study helps us understand the mechanisms involved in illnesses associated with obesity, which may facilitate further pharmacological applications.