Greetings!

The antioxidant elixir you should be drinking is hibiscus tea!

This beautiful, red bloom contains flavinoids and phenolic acids that have potent antioxidant properties.

The bloom typically used to make hibiscus tea is the Hibiscus sabdariffa L. It’s chosen for its bright red color and delicious flavor but the benefits go far beyond the sensory.

Studies suggested that Hibiscus sabdariffa L. has antihypertensive and antiatherosclerotic effects.

In fact, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, people drinking three cups of hibiscus tea daily for 6 weeks resulted in a mean 7.2–mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure in mildly hypertensive or prehypertensive adults.

The National High Blood Pressure Education Program Coordinating Committee has estimated that a mere 3–mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure would reduce the relative risk death due to stroke by 8%, death due to coronary artery disease by 5%, and all cause mortality by 4%.

 

Just for clarity:

 

  • Normal systolic pressure is below 120.
  • A reading of 120-129 is elevated.
  •  A reading of 130-139 is stage 1 hypertension.
  •  A reading of 140 or more is stage 2 hypertension.
  •  A reading of 180 or more is a hypertensive crisis. Call 911.

 

Drinking three (8 ounce) cups of hibiscuses tea per day dropped patients blood systolic pressure as much a single hypertensive drug, according to studies done by Dr. McKay, of the Jean Mayer, USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston.

 

THAT’S AMAZING!


But that’s not all!

 

Hibiscus tea also:

 

  •  Supports healthy cholesterol and triglycerides
  •  Fights free radical damage
  •  Is a natural anti-depressant

 

So where do I buy such ruby goodness?

Amazon!

It’s the easiest since it comes right to the front door.

I like Frontier Co-op Organic Hibiscus Flowers

 

I always but teas (and coffee) organically so that I avoid drinking brewed conventional pesticide; it’s worth the extra cash.

Hibiscus tea is easy to brew and delicious with stevia and lemon. It’s very refreshing!

 

Enjoy!
XO Nina

 

This Week at Nina Cucina

Ever wonder what your shampoo is really doing to your hair? Check out my article: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate | Is it Toxic where I review this common shampoo ingredient.

 

Recipe of the Week

With Cinco de Mayo right around the corner, I thought I would share my Simple Guacamole recipe .

I SOOOO love avocados, I eat at an avocado per day and often that comes in the form of guacamole – YUM!

Another fun Cinco de Mayo treat is my Shrimp Ceviche .

In this recipe, I blanch the shrimp so it lasts longer in the fridge and makes a great take-to-work lunch!