The benefits of the Jamaican flower are to help control blood pressure, prevent the onset of heart disease, regulate sugar and promote weight loss.
Also known as hibiscus, this plant is characterized by being rich in anthocyanins, a compound that gives it its characteristic red coloration and which in turn provides it with great antioxidant power. In addition, it also has flavonoids, vitamin C and organic acids, which are compounds that give it all its medicinal properties.
Its scientific name is Hibiscus Sabdariffa and it can be ingested in the form of tea, “water”, capsules and even in some countries it can be used to prepare some culinary dishes, and can be purchased in supermarkets, health food stores and some online stores . Likewise, it can be used as a source of pigments for cosmetic applications and in the food industry.
What is it for and benefits
The health benefits of the Jamaican flower are:
1. Lower blood pressure
Jamaican flower could help prevent and control mild and moderate arterial hypertension, as it favors the relaxation of blood vessels. It is believed that this effect could be due to its anthocyanin content and its antioxidant properties and its diuretic effect.
In fact, some scientific studies seem to indicate that regular intake of hibiscus could have an effect similar to that of some antihypertensive drugs, such as captopril, for example. However, it should not replace the treatment indicated by the doctor, as more scientific verification is needed to support it.
2. Take care of heart health
In addition to lowering blood pressure, hibiscus may also help lower LDL “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides, and even raise HDL “good” cholesterol. This could be due to the suppression of the synthesis of fatty acids in the liver, which favors the burning of fats in the body and decreases the absorption of triglycerides at the intestinal level.
3. Regulate blood sugar
The Jamaica flower could help regulate blood sugar, because it could inhibit the activity of some pancreatic and intestinal enzymes that are responsible for the digestion of carbohydrates in the small intestine, thus avoiding glycemia spikes and excessive excretion of insulin, helping to prevent diabetes and improve glucose in the case of people who suffer from it.
4. Promote weight loss
Thanks to its content of polyphenols, mainly anthocyanins, flavonoids and other phenolic compounds, such as galloil, chlorogenic acid, quercetin and caffeic acid, regular consumption of Jamaica flower could promote weight loss and prevent obesity.
It is believed that this effect may be due to the fact that it helps regulate blood sugar, decreases the absorption of carbohydrates at the intestinal level and improves the metabolism of fats in the body, and could even control appetite, as some studies indicate that it could influence some hormones, such as ghrelin and leptin, which are responsible for regulating it.
5. Take care of liver health
The Jamaican flower could inhibit the production of fatty acids in the liver, so it could improve and prevent fatty liver, improving its functioning. In addition, it could increase the enzymes that are responsible for detoxifying the body, thus reducing liver damage.
6. It has antioxidant properties
Hibiscus has antioxidant properties thanks to the fact that it is rich in polyphenols, mainly anthocyanins, which inhibit oxidative stress and prevent the formation of free radicals, as well as the damage that these can cause to cells, thus preventing premature aging, the appearance of of chronic diseases and even cancer.
7. Help fight bacteria
Some studies indicate that the Jamaica flower has antimicrobial properties, helping to inhibit the activity of bacteria, such as Escherichia Coli, a bacterium that causes diarrhea and gastrointestinal discomfort; as well as other microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomona aeruginosa, for example.
8. Prevent urinary infections
As previously mentioned, the Jamaica flower has antimicrobial properties, and according to some scientific studies, it helps fight bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, which are the main microorganisms responsible for causing urinary tract infections.
Likewise, it also has diuretic properties that help increase the amount of urine produced, favoring the elimination of these bacteria and preventing the emergence of recurrent infections. It is believed that this may be because it is rich in some antioxidant compounds that help regulate aldosterone, a hormone that controls urine production.
Properties of the Jamaican flower
Jamaican flower has antihypertensive, antidiabetic, vasodilator, nephroprotective, antioxidant, antimicrobial, lipid-lowering, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity properties. All these properties are due to the fact that this plant is rich in various phytochemical compounds, such as: anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, organic acids and, when consumed as food, fibers.
Nutritional composition
The table below indicates the nutritional composition per 100 grams of Jamaican flower:
| Nutritional composition | 100 g of Jamaica flower calyxes |
|---|---|
| proteins | 2 g |
| carbohydrates | 10.2g |
| fats | 0.1g |
| vitamin B1 | 0.05mg |
| vitamin B2 | 0.07mg |
| vitamin B3 | 0.06mg |
| Vitamin C | 17mg |
| Calcium | 150mg |
| Iron | 3mg |
To obtain the benefits of the Jamaican flower, mentioned above, it is important to include it in a balanced, variable and healthy diet; as well as consume it regularly.
How to consume it
The Jamaica flower can be consumed in the form of tea or “water”, capsules and even in the preparation of some meals such as cakes, tacos, ice creams, salads, among others. At present, it has not yet been determined in what exact dose it should be used by diabetics and hypertensive people, so the recommendations for use below are in general:
1. Jamaica water or tea
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of dried Jamaica flowers;
- 400 ml of boiling water.
preparation mode
Add the flowers to the boiling water, let stand for 5 minutes. Strain and drink warm or cold, 3 times a day. For weight loss, it is recommended to drink 1 cup of this tea after meals.
For blood pressure, a clinical study indicates that taking Jamaica flower water prepared with 1 tablespoon (10g) in 500 ml of boiling water daily, 2 hours after each meal and for at least 4 weeks, could improve blood pressure. .
2. Jamaican Flower Tacos
Jamaica flower plugs are an excellent option to obtain the benefits of this plant; In addition, this recipe is optimal for vegetarians.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of allspice;
- 1 clove garlic;
- 1/2 onion;
- 1 avocado;
- 1 splash of olive oil;
- Corn or wheat tortillas;
- Salt and black pepper to season.
Method of preparation:
Place enough water in a pot and bring to a boil, then add the hibiscus flower and cook for approximately 10 minutes. After time, strain, cut the flower into smaller pieces and reserve. Cut the onion into julienne strips and the garlic into small pieces, place the drizzle of olive oil in a frying pan and fry the onion together with the garlic for approximately 5 minutes. Then add the hibiscus flower and cook for another 5 minutes. Add salt and black pepper to taste and mix well. Finally, place the filling in a tortilla, add a portion of avocado and serve.
3. Jamaica flower salad with guava dressing
This Jamaica flower salad with guava dressing is a delicious recipe that, in addition to providing all the nutrients of the Jamaica flower, also provides the vitamins contained in guava , orange and tangerine .
Ingredients:
- 1 piece of lettuce;
- 1 orange;
- 1 tangerine;
- 50 g of goat cheese;
- 1/2 cup of allspice;
- 1/4 onion;
- 1 clove garlic;
- 4 guavas;
- 1 splash of olive oil;
- 1 handful of walnuts;
- 1/4 cup of white vinegar;
- 1/2 teaspoon of stevia.
Method of preparation:
To prepare the dressing, blend the seedless guavas, white vinegar, stevia, onion and garlic until a homogeneous mixture is obtained. Water can be added if the mixture is too thick.
To prepare the salad, place enough water in a pot and bring to a boil, then add the hibiscus flower and cook for approximately 10 minutes. After the time has elapsed, strain, cut the flower into smaller pieces and fry for 5 to 10 minutes in a frying pan with a stream of olive oil, set aside. Place the washed and chopped lettuce in a bowl and add the goat cheese. Add the orange and tangerine previously shelled and cut into pieces. Add the hibiscus flower and the handful of walnuts. Finally, place the dressing, mix well and serve.
4. Capsules
Jamaica flower capsules should preferably be taken under the guidance of a phytotherapist or nutritionist. The dose that is usually indicated is 2 capsules of 450 mg, 3 times a day for 12 weeks, to be consumed 20 to 30 minutes before the main meals.
It is important to read the manufacturer’s label, since the doses may vary depending on the concentration of the purchased product.
Possible effects and contraindications
The consumption of Jamaica flower is apparently safe and so far no side effects have been reported.
This flower should not be taken together with the drug hydrochlorothiazide or any other diuretic without consulting your treating doctor, since the Jamaican flower also has diuretic properties, so it could cause a drug interaction and unwanted effects.
Nor should it be taken without medical guidance in case of pregnancy, breastfeeding, in children under 12 years of age, people with kidney or liver disease, as there are no scientific studies indicating whether or not it is safe in this group of people.
In the case of hypertensive or diabetic people who are taking medication, the ideal is to consult your treating doctor before ingesting the Jamaican flower, to avoid hypoglycemia or hypotension problems.