Written by Jessica Patella, ND. In 72 patients with metabolic syndrome plus a control group, those taking hibiscus extract had a 12.2% reduction in blood sugar and other benefits.
Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors that increase the risk for serious health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke (1, 2). Metabolic syndrome affects about 34% of adults and includes obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and insulin resistance (2). Detecting and treating metabolic syndrome is important to help decrease the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.
Initially, lifestyle changes such as change in diet or physical activity are used before pharamaceutical drugs are recommended. In Mexico, hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is consumed as a drink to lower blood pressure, cholesterol and act as a diuretic, antioxidant and antibacterial agent (1, 3). Recent research has found that Hibiscus can be a beneficial supplement for people with metabolic syndrome (1).
The recent research included 72 participants diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and 80 healthy participants without metabolic syndrome for a control group. Participants were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome if they had three or more of the following:
- Waist circumference greater than 40 inches for men; greater than 35 inches for women
- Triglycerides 150 mg/dl or higher
- HDL less than 40 mg/dl for men; less than 50 mg/dl for women
- Blood pressure greater than 135 mmHg systolic or greater than 85 mmHg diastolic
- Fasting blood glucose in the range of 110-125 mg/dl
Participants in both the control group and those with metabolic syndrome were randomly divided to the following treatment groups:
- Preventive treatment with diet
- Hibiscus extract treatment
- Diet with hibiscus extract treatment
The diet was individually adjusted for each participant to provide 30% of energy from fat, 55% from carbohydrates and 15% from protein. The diet also included 20-30 grams of fiber. The hibiscus treatment was a daily capsule of 100 mg Hibiscus extract powder before breakfast (1).
After one month, researchers observed the following results (mean values) in those with metabolic syndrome (MeSy) and those without metabolic syndrome (Control):
| What Was Measured | Diet Group(MeSy =11) | Hibiscus Group(MeSy =18) | Diet + Hibiscus Group (MeSy =22) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline | After 1 mo. | Baseline | After 1 mo. | Baseline | After 1 mo. | |
| Glucose (MeSy) | 93.0 | 95.0 | 103.8 | 95.1* | 105.2 | 92.4‡ |
| Total Cholesterol (MeSy) | 183.9 | 196.7 | 199.8 | 179.7* | 181.7 | 183.7 |
| HDL (MeSy) | 39.2 | 48.4 | 32.0 | 44.5‡ | 34.6 | 45.0‡ |
| LDL (MeSy) | 106.1 | 108.4 | 130.1 | 104.1* | 110.6 | 108.6 |
| Triglycerides (MeSy) | 184.3 | 152.9 | 172.3 | 137.6 | 177.1 | 109.9‡ |
*indicates significant change p<0.05
‡ indicates significant change p<0.001
| What Was Measured | Diet Group(Control =27) | Hibiscus Group(Control =26) | Diet + Hibiscus Group (Control =20) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline | After 1 mo. | Baseline | After 1 mo. | Baseline | After 1 mo. | |
| Glucose (Control) | 95.8 | 89.9 | 91.2 | 85.1 | 90.6 | 82.7 |
| Total Cholesterol (Control) | 202.9 | 181.7 | 202.6 | 197.5 | 181.2 | 172.9 |
| HDL (Control) | 46.7 | 47.1 | 41.6 | 45.8 | 41.2 | 42.8 |
| LDL (Control) | 131.3 | 111.8 | 124.1 | 124.5 | 118.8 | 113.9 |
| Triglycerides (Control) | 112.5 | 90.3** | 148.0 | 113.8** | 102.0 | 93.6 |
**indicates significant change p<0.01
After 1 month, hibiscus extract treatment significantly reduced glucose (95.1 +/- 24.1 mg/dl, p<0.05), total cholesterol (179.7 +/- 21.2 mg/dl, p<0.05), LDL or “bad cholesterol” (104.1 +/- 20.4, p<0.05) and increased HDL or “good cholesterol” (44.5 +/-8.3 mg/dl, p<0.001) in participants with metabolic syndrome.
Triglyceride levels were significantly reduced in the control group on the diet (90.3 +/- 35.6 mg/dl, p<0.01) and taking hibiscus extract (113.8 +/- 54.1 mg/dl, p<0.01). Triglyceride levels were also significantly reduced in the participants with metabolic syndrome in the diet plus hibiscus extract group (109.9 +/- 46.3 mg/dl, p<0.001) (1).
In conclusion, hibiscus extract and hibiscus extract plus diet can decrease cholesterol levels and glucose levels in those with metabolic syndrome (1). Metabolic syndrome is considered a reversible clinical stage of diabetes and heart disease and hibiscus extract provides a new alternative option in improving health when diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (1).
Source: Gurrola-Díaz, C. M., et al. “Effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract powder and preventive treatment (diet) on the lipid profiles of patients with metabolic syndrome (MeSy).” Phytomedicine 17.7 (2010): 500-505.
© 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
Posted February 12, 2015.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
References:
- Gurrola-Diaz CM, et al. Effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract powder and preventive treatment (diet) on the lipid profiles of patins with metabolic syndrome (MeSy). Phytomedicine 17 (2010), 500-505.
- About Metabolic Syndrome. The American Heart Association
- Akindahunsi AA, Olaleye MT. Toxicology investigation of aqueous-methanolic extract of the calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. J. Ethnopharmacol. 89 (2003), 161-164.
