Flashback Friday: Hibiscus Tea vs. Plant-Based Diet for Hypertension & How Much Is Too Much?

How do the blood-pressure lowering effects of hibiscus tea compare to the DASH diet, a plant-based diet, and a long-distance endurance exercise? And be aware, the impressive manganese content of hibiscus tea may be the limiting factor for safe daily levels of consumption.

For more on hypertension, see:

And check out my other hibiscus tea videos:

Thanks for watching. I hope you’ll join in the evidence-based nutrition revolution!
-Michael Greger, MD FACLM

Images thanks to kattebelletje and Pgoyette via Flickr.

[BOMAH]

I really appreciate this Flashback-Friday format of combining several older videos into one cohesive message. It’s getting to the point where there are simply too many videos to just revisit one every week. This is a very good solution. Thanks.👍

[drryanincemd]

You the man! You Turned me plant based 2016- and didn’t think anyone could do it! Thanks for the studies

[NonchalantWalrusParty]

So a year ago I was 33 and had never had a filling. Then I went traveling through South America for a year and drank v. strong hibiscus tea at least 3 times a day- even drinking it last thing before sleep. Came home to find I needed 10+ fillings. The dumbest part is I think I'd even watched Dr G's warning video about it's acidity some time ago but completely forgot about it. That stuff isn't just a little bit acidic it's crazy acidic. Don't make my mistake- gargle with water after and even use a straw if you're making it strong.

[LichaWYC]

I love your work. I always leave your channel a bit more knowledgeable and with more tools for my health.

[bobgreene]

At 4:23, a very helpful comparison of diabetes and hypertensive risk among several diet groups-- (1) non-vegetarian-- those who eat everything (2) semi-vegetarian-- vegetarians who eat meat once or twice weekly (3) pescovegetarian-- vegetarians who eat fish (4) lactoovo-vegetarian-- vegetarians who eat eggs and drink milk and (5) vegan-- vegetarians who eat a whole-food, plant-based diet. Loosely defined, "prevalence" means the chances of finding a given condition in the group, compared to a baseline group. Vegans get all the advantages, with none of the downsides of the other four groups-- provided they also take B12 by supplement.

[andreawisner]

I love hibiscus tea but I have low blood pressure. Should I stop?

[nomzhlf]

I know this is totally unrelated, but am commenting on this video in hopes that it will be seen. I was wondering if you could do any videos on eating disorders. I've been plant based most of my life and have found your videos illuminating and educational. I love your evidence based approach. I'm wondering what the research says about the causes and, more importantly, affective treatments are for anorexia, bulimia, and/or binge eating disorder. As someone who is currently suffering, I'd find it very helpful. Thanks!

[daveb]

So your drinking 1qt a day, is that @ 1 bag per 1 cup or are you making your tea stronger than that?

[CessnaPilot]

Please go back to this video format it’s more informative.

[nujabesfan]

I drank two glasses of hibiscus tea and felt pretty tired after then my girlfriend had a glass later that night and she told me she felt “dizzy” and tired after but I never told her I felt tired after. Is it possible it can lower blood pressure that fast? We both how lower blood pressure to begin with.

[rockinvegan]

A quart a day, but how much hibiscus petals are blended int?

[robinfielding]

I got a hibiscus plant cause I would send for it.
When do you pick the flowers for tea?
I use it for a drink in the gym

[crystall]

I'm vegan 80% unprocessed and I still have hypertension... my blood pressure got better but I cant get off my med or my bl shoots up... I've taken more steps I work out around 1hr 5xs a week more greens but I still have HBP

[allencrider]

I love hibiscus tea, but I'm only up for one 12 oz. cup per day.

[parsonsfra]

I think there's a flaw in your thinking here; athletes tend to have somewhat higher systolic blood pressures due to having a stronger heart, as well as having a lower resting heart rate. I'm not sure how that exactly translates to longevity, however.

[ainsleyameerali]

Dr ... we have something in trinidad called sorrel ... is like a cousin to hibiscus .. i am wondering if sorrel can beat hibiscus ? Let us know

[deborahbayer]

Wait, what about the arsenic problem with the hibiscus tea? Didn't you change your recommendations to 1-2 cups per day based on that problem?

[ula]

... Here's the deal… Go to Amazon and get a 1 pound bag of Davidson's hibiscus flowers...$17.66... and it is ...beautiful thing... Either put them loose into your hot water or purchase the paper teabags at Amazon or whatever delivery method you want to use with loose tea… That's it... The zinger stuff will send you to the poor House… Stick with the Davidson's or whatever company you want to buy your hibiscus petals from... I also get my Chamomile from Davidson, another great deal for a 1 pound bag... There are others but I stick with Davidson… I make no profit from this advice…👍 to your health… Chin chin...
God bless Dr Greger... God bless America ...🇺🇸

[gjenescu]

I have been drinking 1.5 litres of hibiscus tea per day as a water replacement for over three years now

[dawnanderson]

I tried Hibiscus tea and although my heartburn has stopped since I went to a plant based lifestyle but this tea gives me heartburn. Would you know why it does that?